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Itesgra|te 

^Sciences 

CorpoMon 


23  WBT  MAIN  STRfET 

WIBSTER.N.Y.  MSN 

(716)  •72-4503 


■'  ^ 


I/a 


CIHM 
Microfiche 
Series 
(l\/lonographs) 


■fc.. 

- 

1 

Car 

•~K 

^ 

F" 

' « 

ICIMH 

CoUectidn  de 
microfiches 
(monographles) 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


Technical  and  BibliographicNota*  /  Notas  tachniquat  at  bibliographiquas 


The 
to  tl 


Tha  Instituta  hat  attamptad  to  obtain  the  bast  origfnat' 
'  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faatura*  of  this  copy  which 
may  be  bibliographically  uniqua,  which  may  altar  any 
of  the  images  in  the  reprod^tbtion.  or  which  may 
significantly  change  the  usual  method  of  filming,  are 
checked  below. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  da  couleur 


D  Clivers  damaged/ 
C6uverture  endommagto 


Covers  rattorad  andAor  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurte  et/ou  pelliculte 

JO 

Cover  title  missihg/    " 

Le  titre  da  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gtegraphiques  en  couleur 


□  Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


n 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relii  avac  d'autres  documents 


I     yi  Tight  binding  may  causa  shadows  or  distortion 


D 


along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  sarrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 

distorsion  la  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoratioh  may  appear 
within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these  have 
been  omitttd  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certainas  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauratiort  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  itait  potsiMe.  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  M  f  ilmtes. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm*  la  meilleur  exemplaire  qu'il 
lui  a  M  possible  de  se  prqcurer.  .Les  dtoils  de  cet 
exemplaire  qui  sont  peut4tre  uniques  du  p^int  de  vue 
tHbliographjqua,  qui  peuvent  modifier  une  image 
reproduite.  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une  modification 
dans  la  mithode  itormale^la  filmage  sont  indiqufa 
ci-detsous. 

□  Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur     -      ^ 

□  Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagtes 

□  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^  et/ou  pellicultos 


The 

POS! 

oft 
film 


Ori( 
beg 
the 
sior 
oth( 
first 
sior 
or  il 


0 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dteolories,  tachettes  ou  piqui 


□  Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachtes 

0Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


n 


Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  in^le  de  I'impressipn 

Continuous  pagination/ 
Pagination  continue 


The 
she 
TIN 
whi 

Mai 
diff 
enti 
beg 
rigli 
reqi 
met 


□  Includes  index (es)/ 
Comprend  un  (des)  index 


Title  on  header  taken  from:/ 
Le  titre  de  I'en-tlte  provient: 


I       I  Title  page  of  issue/ 


Page  de  titre  de  \a  livraison 

□  Caption  of 
Titre  de  di 

D 


^ 


issue/ 
depart  da  la  livraison 


Masthead/ 

G4nirk|ue  (p4riodiques)  de  la  livraison 


'% 


0 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  siipplimantaires: 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata  slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  ref  ilmed  to  ensure 
the  best  possible  image. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  da  rUuetion  indiqui  ci-detsous. 

IPX 14X 18X 


^)L 


26  X. 


30X 


J 


12X 


1CX 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


.  .^Hk 


i         >'       SIIS.    'V   ^^ 


ft» 


*■-.!■  ■'' 


il 
I 
I  vue 

in 

I 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Harold  Campbell  Vaughan  Memorial  Library 

Acadia  University 


The  images  appearing  ijere  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  wid  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  cohtract  specifications. 


L'exemplajre  filmA  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g6nArosit6  de: 

Harold  Campbell  Vaughan  Memorial  Library 

Acadia  University 


tes  images  suivantes  ont  At4  reproduites  avoc  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  Ii^nettet6  de  I'exemp^ilre  filmA.  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage.  ^» 


Original  jsopies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  covfr  and  endingTon 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first' page  wijth  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  ^rame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^i^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"K  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.^h08e  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right' and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  follovying  diagrahis  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  exMfiplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimte  sont  filmto  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniire  page  qui  coniporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'Ulustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant  par  la 
Ipremidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'Ulustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derni^re  page  qui  comrporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboies  suivants  appara?tra  sur  la  ^ 

dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfich'^,  selon  le  "^ 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVflE".  le        i 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre^ 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  11  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagfammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


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O  L  S. 


THE    DaG   CKUSOE.       ' 


a  mi  iif  |t  sjtjto  fnirfH. 


BT 


/* 


R.  M.  BALLAJp-JNE, 

IH.  WOBU,  Of  IO«ffi§»^ABTnr  BATttKB,"  "  HTOSOlf.  BAT." 
OLBBH  SBBAlt,"  no. 


r- 


BOSTON: 

fe  S  UTTITT  A HTTlTc  H  0  L  S : 
1863. 


/I 


'WK  i-h'&'i.' 


,       \ 


■■■r-' 


•    c 


^ 


CAMBRIDGE: 

AUen  and  Famham,  Bwreotypers  and  Printwfc 


'^i 


.  N     V 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTKB^r. 

wMngMatterg    ....  r  '^  ^^m^'>oO .uxa  oOtat  Intw 

"  •     V         •  i-  .     •     .       » 

•  ohaptA  n. 

CHAPTKR  m. 

'.  •  •^;      •  ■  .  .« 

'      Cl&APTEB  IV. 

Our  Hero  enlargwl  upon. -Orump.  * 

-  ^    •:••... ^y 

CHAPTBB  V.  c- 

'^.  or  2:t-^,*iir;-ji«^  r  ^-^ -» «"  *- 

,-tW  or  oou»..  ^  N W  "i.^^^Wo^"'."'^  *^  ««  -x,«  a  , 

r^  -  "  " 

"  OnAPTKR  YI.  .  ^  ; 

•  p«t pmhm of th» Vto Wait     .  _  '^''"'.r*  r-^^^^ 

\.    A*.' *•    73 

•» 

'      ,  t  '  '^    " 


^ 


■:-S 


«. 


ooNTBirrs. 


E^- 


vn. 

aiie «' Wallering  »  PeonllariOeB  of  BuflWo  BnllB.  — itte  Kwt  Bi)pUo  Himt 
and  ita  coiueqneneeB.— OriMoe  eontes  to  the  Bewme.  —  Pi^meeB  dis- 

M^red— A  Monster  Bufltdo  Host,  f- Joe  acts  the  part  of  AmbMsador   M 

OHAPT^  vm. 

Dick  and  Ub  Friends  TWt  the  Indiana  and  see  many  Wonders.  —  Crusoe, 
too,  ezperienoes  a  few  Sunirises,  and  teaches  Indian  Dogs  a  Lesson.  — 
An  Indian  Dandy.— A  Voot-race .108 

'  CHAF^TEK  rs.     - 

Crusoe  acts  a  Consplonons  and  Humane  Part.  —A  Friend  gained.  —A 
,  Great  Feast joo 

OHA^TBB  X. 

Perplexities — Our  Hunters  Plan  their  Escape.  —  Unexpected  Interrup- 
tion. — The  Tables  turned.  —  Crusoe  mounts  Guard.  —  The  Esoape     .  186 

CHAPTEB  ZI. 

Erening  Meditations  and  Momhig  Reflections.  —  BuflUoes,  Badgers,  Ante- 
lopes, and  Accidents. — An  old  Bull  and  the  Wolves.  —  <>^  Mad-tails."  — 
Henri  floored,  etc jm 

CHAPTEB  Xn.  . 

Wanderings  on  the  Prairie.— A  War  Party.— Chased  by  Indians.— A 
Bold  Leap  for  Lilb yj^ 


CHAPTER  Xm. 
Acape  from  Indians.— A  Discorery.- Alone  in  the  Desert  . 


.180 


CHAPTER  XIV.  ,r 

Crusoe's  Return  and  his  Private  Adventnrv  among  the  Indiaas. — DIok 
at  a  very  low  Ebb.- Crusoe  saves  Him* igj 


CHAPTER  ZV. 


Health  and  Happin—  retntn.  —  Inddemts  ot  tha  Jonmey A  ihi«iki«  ^ 

shot.  -  A  Wild  Horse  "  CreasM." — Dick's  Battto  with  a  Mustang  .    .  900 


f'..'" 


OflAPTXft^  XVI. 
Wek  beooniM  »  Howe  Xtaner. — Bfl.nn.»»  Ki.  T- 

'    '    '    Igpl ' 220 

CHAPliH*5vu. 

Mck'.n«tHghtwm,aQri«jy._AdTenhi«,»(»K    «. 

«V.     -*«»yM»t»»wlthaDeer.-A8uipri»a8% 

.  -  CHAPTKBXVm.    • 

A  Soipriie  and  a  Pfece  of  Good  KeM  _Th«  v^    n^ 
P«>Ted,andthoPeIgaMpnwMd  ^  T«*«i«B.  -  Cnuoe 

aM 

CHAPTEE  Xtt. 

368 

CHAPTER  3X. 

"»»«•     ^NarrowBMapeandaPrtaoaertaken^aTB      ' 
•  ■  ' 

CHAPIKR  XXI 

OHAPTBB  XXnt. 
CW«e.Adn«tu«^tha.^^3^_^^^^^  ^^ 

CHAPTBB  xan. 

^^ 822 

— ' -ggAgimt-:ptfy--  ■ — 

'     '    *     ■    •  ittQ 


/      1 


il         '    \ 


■\ 


"U  CONTENTS. 

# 

OHAPTEE  Xrv. 

DangBM  of  the  Prairie.  -  Onr  TraveUen  attecked  by  the  Indians,  and  de- 
livered in  a  Bemarkable  Manner ,    /  .  StU 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Anriona  Fears  foUowed  by  a  Joyftil  Surprise.  -  Safe  Home  at  last,  and 

.    happy  Hearts m- 

•^KO 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

^«t!Z:~'^l^"^*  "  *•"  Block.ho«e.-Qrump,  and  Crusoe  come 
outstnpg.— The  Closing  Scene  . 375 


(H'. 


•Mpi 


THE  DOG  CRUSOE. 


CHAPTER  L 

-  TJ.«  .      •  •     "     ®°*-     Crusoe's  Parentage  and  Early  Historr 

-TheagomzangPainsandSorwwsoflusPnppyhood  LTl 
interesting  Matters.  "PPynooa,  and  other 

Ofc«ur8eheWMiIc„^l3„to,4  ' 

know  ve.7  w.n  that  y„„  tave  often  ««,.  ,»„  ^™ 

of  wh«„  you  Uve  «id,or  thoog^  t^  „^' 

11  the  «re.ga.  and  m^«,y  <rf  «j, 

Ww,to.d,o,_..„„„,^^         "^ 

^Tr'.'I"'  '^""^  '^■""■■'-  "^^^ 
»«  «  draw  partkalu:  a««ttioa  to  the  ftct  rf 


rfii.*- 


'J' 

■Mi 


fciii,  ^  jfJ*& '^w  J'^'  Cil^fiS^ 


,M 


10 


THE  BACKWOODS  8ETTLBMENT. 


Crusoe's  having  once  been  a  pup,  because  in  conneo- 
tion  with  the  days  of  his  puppyhood  there  hangs  a 
tale.    This  peculiar  dbg  may  thus  be  said  to  have  had 
two  tails-one  in  connection  with  hfe  body,  the  other 
with  h,s  career.    This  tale,  though  short,  is  very  har- 
rowing,  and  as  it  is  intimately  connected^with  Crusoe's 
subsequent  history,  we  will  relate  it  here.     But  before 
domg  so  we  must  beg  our  reader  to  accompany  us 
beyon^  the  civilized  portions  of  the  United  States  of 
America -beyond  the  frontier  setUementa  of  the  "far 
west,-  into  those  wild  prairies  which  are  watered  by 
the  great  Missouri  river-the  Wther  of  Waters -and 
his  numerous  tributaries. 

Here  dweU  the  Pawnees,  the  Sioux,  the  Delawarers, 
the  Crows,  the  Blackfeet,  and  many  other  tribes  of  Bed 
Indians,  who  are  graduaUy  i^treating  step  by  step 
towards  the  Rocky  Mountaiia  as  the  advancing  white 
^  man  cuts  down  their  trees  and  ploughs  up  their  pnUries. 
9ere,  too,  dwell  the  wild  horse  and  the  wild  ass,  the 
deer,  the  buffalo,  and  the  badger,  all,  men  and  brutes 
aHke  wad  as  the  power  of  untamed  and  ungovernable 
pasaon  can  make  them,  and  free  as  the  wind  that 
sweeps  over  their  mighty  plains. 

There  is  a  romantic  and  exquisitely  beautiful  spot  on 
the  banks  of  one  of  the  tributaries  above  referred  to- 
a  long  stretch  of  mmgled  woodhmd  and  meadnw,  »ith 


THH^flifioent  lake  lying  like  a  gem  in  it*  groen  bosom 


\^ 


wist'"'" 


i 


'■--,"        yi^'^ 


*! 


THE  BAOKWOODS  SEWLEMKNT.  Jl 

tit 

■    -which  goes  4  a,  ^,  „/^.   jj__^^^ 

Th»  «,,ote  ™le,  even  .t  the  present  day,  i,  but  IhMy 
peopted  by,,hi.e  .™,.„d  i»  stUl  .  frontier  selUenJ 

aod  &„m  which  the  Startled  deer  bmni.  terrifled  awiy 
A.  the  period  of  which  we  write  the  vaUey  bM  i« 

fl«        of  the  tonnoil  and  the  .,„.hMe,  of  the  M^ 

we«  to  eeeit  a  new  home  for  thomsel™,  where  UH.y 
oonM  have  "elbow  K„n,,»  reg«d,e„   a^.   „,  J 

the  Ked^uis  who  dwelt  there. 
The  .qmeters  were  weU  «med  with  ai.,,  ri%.  ,nd 

"77*"-  "-""f*' women  were  „s«.  to  di^ 
«aa  alarm^  and  phoed  impUci.  reli«.ce  in  the  p.^ 
of  acr  ftther^  hneban*  and  brother,  u.  Z«i 
«hem_«,d  wen  they  might  for  a  bolder  «t  of  ^,« 
■»en  than  the*  baekw«^^  never  trod  thewild«. 

.T"  ^_'"*'^'^^^««>»ooftheriao.nd 
tk.  are  from  inftnoy,  m,d  mm,y  of  them  had  .pent » 
-c"  of  aeir  Hve.  in.  the  wood.  ^  «,^  ^^^J^ 
ttam  a  m^  «.r  the  Indian  in  hi.  own  p«^p^ 

™'Vf  """"^  "*  -«•    When  the  .qnatter.  L 
-™*fl»-«..  wood,  bordering  the  valle....  w^- 

ilW^  of-  ^11(1-  hntmam  aw  ^^ ^ .  ^ — — 


«i  >.     ^  *«««»  or  mustangB  wew  ^wBing  oo  Afi 
.Plato.    These  no  aooner  beheld  the  cavalcade  of  white 


■=f'- 


12 


THE   BACKWOODS   SBTTLKMENT. 


men,  than,  uttering  a  wild  neigh,  they  tossed  their  flow- 
ing manes  in  the  breeze  and  dasl^ed  away  like  a  whirl- 
wind.   This  incident  procured  the  ^ey  its  aamer^^ 

The  new-comers  gave  one  satisfied  glan^>fr»t^ 
future  home,  and  then  set  to  work  to  erect  log  huts 
forthwitL  Soon  the  axe  was  heard  ringing  through 
the  forests,  and  tree  after  tree  fell  to  the  ground,  while 
the  occasional  sharp  ring  of  a  rifle  told  that  the  hunters 
were  catering  sucteessfully  for  the  camp.  In  course  of 
.^  ^®  ^^  Mustang  Valley  began  to  assume  the^pect  of 
a  thriving  settlement,  with  cottages  and  waving  fields 
clustered  together  in  the  mid^t  of  it. 

Of  course  ^e  savages  soon  found  it  out,  and  paid  it 
occasional  yisits.  These  dark-skinned  tenants  of  the 
woods  brotight  furs  of  wUd  animals  with  them,  which 
they  exchanged  with  the  white  men  for  knives,  and 
beads,  an^  baubles  and  trinkets  of  brass  and  tin.  But 
they  hated  "pale-faces"  with  bitter  hatred,  because 
their  enbroachments  had  at  this  time  materiaUy  cur- 
t^ed  die  extent  of  their  hunting  grounds,  and  nothing 
but  th^  numbers  and  known  courage  of  the  squatters 
pr^vei^  these  savages  fiwn  butchering  and  scalping 
*  them  aU. 


The 
Hop^ 


leader  of  this  band  of  pioneers  waai  a  Mi^or 
f  a  gentleman  whose  love  for  nature  in  its  wildest 
aspect^  determined  him  to  exchange  barrack  life  for  a 


^  the  woods.  iPhe  mgof  was  a  aSt-iate  shot,  a 


*\'- 


cbusob's  pabentaoe.       '  18 

bold,  fearless  man,  and  an  eiiausiastio  naturalifit.  He 
waspast  the  prime  of  life,  ani  being  a  bachelor,  was 
unencumbered  with  a  famUy.  A^first  act  on  reaching 
the  site  of  the  new  settlement  was  to  commence  the 
erection  of  a  block-house,  to  which  the  people  might 
retire  in  case  of  a  general  attack  by  the  Indians^' 

^     ^  «»»  Wock-house  Major  Hope  took  up  hianabode 
as  the  guardian  of  th|,  settlement,  -  and  here  tiie  dog 

5^^««J^™'  here  he  sprawled  in  the  ^fy  mom- 
of  hfe;  here  he  leaped,  and  yelped,  and  wagged  hia 
Bhaggy  tail  in  the  excessive  glee  of  puppyhood,  and 
from  the  wooden  portals  of  this  block-house  he  bomided 

forth  to  the  chase  in  aU  the  fire,  and  strength,  and  mai- 
esly  of  full  grown  doghood. 

Crusoe's  father  and  mother  were  magnificent  New- 
fomidhmders.    There  was  no  doubt  as  to  their  b^ing  of 
the  genuine  breed,  for  Migor  Hope  had  m^ved  them 
as  a  parting  gift  fiom  a  brother  officer,  who  had  brought 
them  both  fiom  Newfiirindhmd  itself.     The  fether's 
namewasCrusoe;  the  mother's  name  was  Fan.    Why 
»the  father  had  been  so  ca^ed  no  one  could  telL    The 
man  fix)m  whom  Major  Hope's  friend  had  obtained  the 
Pau-  was  a  poor,  ilKterate  fisherman,  who  had  never     ' 
heard  df  the  celebrated  "Robinson,"  in  aU  his  life.    All 
he  knew  was  that  Fan  had  been  named  after  his  own 
wife.     *    -     ~ 


» 


As  for  CruBo«,he-tad  pr^ti  fi^m  a  K^ 
who  had  got  him  from  another  friend,  who8e  cousin  had 


.</LaU.,, 


14 


«ABLT  TBOl^LES, 


received  him  as  a  marriage  giftfiorii  thknd  of  hi,; 
and  that  each  had  said  to  the  other  that  the  dog's  name 
was  "Crusoe,''  without  reasons  being  asked  .or  given 
on  either  side.  On  arriving  at  New  York  the^miyor's 
friend,-as  wq  have  said,  made  him  a  present  of  tl?e  dogs. 
Not  being  much  of  ^  dog  fancier,  he  soon  tired  of  old 
Crusoe,  and  gave  him  away  to  a  gentleman,  who  took 

lum  down  to  Florida,  and  that  was  the  end  of  him.    He 
was  never  heard  of  more. 

When  Crusoe,  junior,  was  bom,  he  was  bom,  of 
ooursi,'without  a  name.    That  was  given  to  him  after- 
wanH-in  honor  of  his  father.     He  was  also  bom  in 
companjr  with  a  broth^  and  two  sisters,  all  of  whom 
drowned  themselves  acddentaUy,  in  flie  first  month  of 
their  existence,  by  Ming  into  the  river  wh^jsh  flowed 
past   the  block-house,— a  cahunity  which  occurred, 
doubtless,  in  consequence  of  their  having  gone  out  with- 
out their  mother's  leave.    Little  Crus<^  was  with  his 
brother  and  sisters  at  the  time,  and  feU  in  along  with 
them,  but  was  saved  from  sharing  their  fiite  by  his 
mother,  who,  seeing  what  had  happened,  dashed  with  an 
agonized  howl  into  the  water,  and,  seizing  him  in  her 

mouth,  brought  him  ashore  in  a  half  drowned  condition.     . 
She  afterwards  brought  the  others  ashore  one  by  one^ 

but  the  poor  little  things  were  dead. 
And  now  we  come  to  the  hanowing  part  of  our  tale, 
^i^pn/par raderetandii^  of  wW<S  tiw-fereg^J^ 
dissertation  was  needfoL 


THE  TOUNG  HUNTEB. 


15 


One  beautiful  afternoon,  in  that  channing  season  of 
the  American  year  caUed.  the  Indian  summer,  there 
came  a  family  of  Sioux  Indians  to  the  Mustang  VaUey 
and  pitched  their  tent  close  to  the  block-house.     A 
young  hunter  stood  leaning  against  the  gate-post  of  the 
paluades,  watching  the  movements  of  the  Indians,  who, 
having  just  finished  a  long  "palaver"  or  "talk"  with 
vMajor  Hope,  were  now  in  the  act  of  preparing  supper. 
A  fire  had  been  kindled  on  the  green  sward  in  front  of 
the  tenvand  above  it  stood  a  iripod,  fiom  which  de- 
pended  a  large  tin.  camp  kettle.     Over  this  hung  an 
lU-favored  Indiite  ^oman,  or  squaw,  who,  besides  at- 
tendmg  to  the  contents  of  thepol^  bestowed  sundry 
cuflTs  and  kicks  upon  her  little  child,  which  sat  near  to 
her  playing  with  several  Indian  curs  that  gamboUed 
Toxmi  the  fire.    The  master  of  the  family  and  his  two 
sons  reclined  on  buflWo  lobes,  smoking  their  stone  pipea 
or  calumets  in  silence.    There  was  nothing  peculiar  in 
their  appearance.    Their  faces  were  neither  dignified 
por  coarse  in  expression,  but  wore  an  aspect  of  stUpid 
apathy,  which  formed  a  striking  contrast  to  the  counte- 
nanee  of  the  young  hmiter,  who  seemed  an  amused 
spectator  of  their  proceedings. 

The  youth  referred  to  was  very  unlike,  in  many 
respects,  to  what  we  are  accustomed  to  suppose  a  back. 


g»Tily  and  staid  demeanor  which  often  characterise 


.  ,jl 


le 


THK  TOUNO  HUNTKB. 


these  men.  True,  he  was  tall  and  strongly  made|  bat 
'  no  one  would  have  called  him  stalwart,  and  his  frame 
indicated  grace  and  agiU^  rathisr  than  strength.  But 
the  point  about  him  which  rendered  him  different  from 
his  compatuons  was,  his  bounding,  irrepressible  flow,  of 
spirits,  sthmgely  coupled  with  an  intense  love  of  soli- 
tfuy  wandering  in  the  woods.  None  seemed  so  well 
,  fitted  for  social  enjoyment  as  he ;  none  laughe^  so  heart- 
ily, or  expressed  such  glee  in  his  mischief-loving  eye ; 
yet  for  days  together  he  went  off  alone  into  the  forest, 
and  wandered  wl^re  his  fanf^  led  him,  as  grave  and 
silent  as  an  Indian  warrior.  '' 

After  all,  there  was  nothing  mysterious  in  this.  The 
boy  followed  implicitly  the  dictates  of  nature  within 
him.  He  was  amiable,  straightforward,  sanguine,  and 
intensely  tamest  When  he  laughed  he  let  it  out,  as 
sailors  have  it,  "with  a  will"  When  there  was  good 
cause  to  be  grave,  no  power  on  earth  could  make  him 
smile.  We  have  called  him  boy,  but  in  truth  he  was 
about  that  uncertain  period  of  life  when  a  youth  is  said 
to  be^^neiuier  Vlnan  nor  a  boy.  .  His  face  was  good- 
looking  (every  earnest,  candid  %»  is)  and  masculine; 
his  hair  was  reddish  brown,  and  his  eye  bright  blue.  . 
He  was  costumed  in  the  deer-skin  da|^  levins,  moooas- 
sins,  and  leathern  shirt  common  to  the  western  hunter. 

"You  seem  tickled  wi*  Ae  Injuns,  Dick  Varley;'*- 
Isald  a  man  ^ho  at  that  moinent  issued  frwn  mb  Block 
House. 


;•. 


A   NARROW  ESCAPE. 


17 


"Thafs  Just  what  I  am,  Joe  Blunt,"  replied  the 
youth,  turning  with  a  broad  grin  to  his  companion.  .  ^ 

^'•Have  a  care,  lad;  do  not  hiugh  at  'em  too  much. 
They  soon  take  offence ;  an'  them  r^d-skins  never  fo^ 
♦give."  ^^ 

^  «But  rm  only  laughing  at  the  Ihby,"  returned  the 
youth,4,oiBtkg  to  the  child,  whifeh,  with  a  mixture  of 
boldness  and  timidity,  was  pkying- with  a  pup,  wrink- 
ling up  itri  fat  visage  into  a  smile  when  its  playmate 
rushed  away  in  sport,  and  opeifing  wide  its  jeWdack 
eyes  in  grave  anxiety  as  the  pup  returned  at  full  gallop. 

"It  'ud  make  an  owl  laugh,"  continued  young  Var-      ^ 
ley>."  to  see  such  a  queer  pictur*  o' itself." 

He  paused  suddenly,  and  a  dark  frown^'covered  hi* 
face  as  he  saw  the  Indian  woman  stoop  quickly  down, 
catch  the  pup  by  its  hind-leg  with  one  hand,  seize  a 

headpiece  of  wood  with  the  other,and8&ike  it  several 
violent   blows   on  the    throat.      Without  taking   the 

trouble  to  kill  the  poor  animal  outright,  the^  savage  then 

held  its  stm  writhmg  body^ver  the  fire  in  order  to 

Binge  off  the  hair  beford  putting  it  into  the  pot  to  be  \ 

cooked. 

Thecr&el  act  drew  young  VarVs  attention  more 
closely  to  the  pup,  and  it  flashed  across  his  mind  that 
this  could  be  no.  other    than  young  Crusoe,  which       > 


noit^r  heiHH^his' eon^iani  Imtf  Jb^re  wen, 

they  had  often  heard  others  speak  of  and  describe  it 


-      '^i 


,--»i. 


fW;^ 


^} 


1# 


TBB  BSSODS. 


H«d  the  litUe  oreataro  been  one  of  the  nnfortowrfe 
InOian  core,  the  two  hunters  would   probably  h, 
turned  from  the  rickening  sight  with  disgust,  f< 
thut,  however  much  they  might  dislike  #i#i^|g|Mltjr, 
it  would  be  4)f  no  use  attempting  to  Si^^^muL 
Indian  usages.    But  the  instant  the  idea  tha^t  '5^.    * 
Crosoe  occurred  to  Varley  he  uttered  a  yell  of  anger, 
^     and  sprang  towards  the  woman  with  a  Twund  that  caused 
the  three  Indians  to  leap  to  theirieet  and  grasp  their 
tonu^wks. 

B^"^t^d  not  move  from  the  gate,  but  threw  forward 
^  '^'''"*  *  ''*^^'  motion,  but  an  expressive  ^ 
ghm9^t  caused  the  Indiam.  to  resume  their  seats 

and  pipes  with  ah  emphatic  «Wah  I  "of  disgust  at  hav-    - 
ing  been  startled  out  of  their  propriety  by  a  trifle,  while 
Dick  Varley  snatched  poor  Cru^  from  Tiis  dangerous 
and  painful  position,  scowled  angrily  in  the  woman's  - 
&ce,  arid,  turning  on  his  heel,  walked  up  to  the  house, 
holding  the  pup  tenderly  in  his  a^     V 

Joe  Blunt  gazed  after  his  fi&nd  with  a  grave 
solemn  ^^^'^oS  c^^^y^^^m^^^  disappeared;  r^ 

•  then  li^^ed  at  the  I ^^MWtliii-i  te^lW^     '" 

V.   "^  .^  one  of  the  re^^BSaW  'backwoods 

liuntere,  both  in  appetoance  and  in  feet— bft»d,  talk 

^    inassjve,Mon-like,-gi^  the  hmiting,  staBdng: 

;  rnnmng,  and  traU-foUowing  powers  of  the  savage,  and 

'  With      A     aiirka«AK«««%  J^^  .^       -^     <«  « 


J^&..«^pe!»buadance  of  the  ihootmj  and  ^fi^j 


^w^-^'^ ' 


■( 


^  ',    - 


l'^ 


fBE  RXBOtnt. 


1» 


•powert,  ike  daring  and  daahpf  the  An^o-SaxoD.  He 
was  grave,  too— seldom  smfled,  and  rarely  laughed. 
His  expression  ahnos^^at  aU  times  was  a  compound  of 
*"^<*'"T*'  '^  eood-h^T.  With  the  rifle  he  wks  a 
good,  steady  shot;  but  by  no  means  a  "crack"  one. 
His  baU  never  faU^d  to  hit,  but  it  often  feiled  to 

un. 

After  n^e^tating  a  few  seconds,  ^oe  Blunt  agwn 
shook  his  head,  and  muttered  to  himself,  "The  boy's 
bold  enough,  but  he's  too  reckless  for  a  hunter.  There 
was  no  need  for  that  yell,  now  ~  none  at  alL" 

Having  uttered  this  sagacious  remark,  he  t^w  his 
rifle  into  the  hoUow  of  his  left  arm,  turned  round,  and 
strode  oflP  with  a  long,  slow  step  towards  his  own  cot- 
tage. 

Blunt  waT^  American  by  birth,  but  of  Irish  ^jxtrao- 
tion,  and  to  an  attentive  ear  there  was  a  feint  fecho  of 
the  iroffu^m  his  tone,  which  seemed  to  have  been  handed 

down  to  him  as  a  thread-bare  and  almost  wonwnt  heir, 
loom.  > 

Poor  Crusoe  was  singed  almost  naked,  ffs  wretched 
tail-seemed  Kttle  betterJhatt^  piece  of  wire  flled  off  fo 
•  point,  and  he  vented  his  misery  in  piteous  squeaks  as 
tlM>  sympathetic  Varley  confided  him  tenderly  to  the 
care  of  hi.  mother.  How  Fan  mamiged  to  care  him  no 
«nc-8w  ^»>«^«uw  himBhffdld,for,m^elonr8etf^ 

a  few  weeks,  Crnsoa  was  as  well,  and  sleek,  and  fet  as 
aver.  .  ;       * 


^ 


,^ 


20  . 


THE  SHOOTING  MATCH. 


CHAPTER  n. 

A  Shootbg  Matd,  and  its  consequencea.-Kew  Frienda  introduced 
to  the  Eeader.-Crusoe  and  Ms  Mother  change  Maaters. 

,         S=o«'"  after  the  incident  narrated  in  the  last  chap, 
ter,  the  squatters  of  the  Mustang  VaUey  lost  thek  leader. 
M^jor    Hope    suddenly  announced    his    intention  of 
quitting  the  settiement,  and  returning  to  tl,e  civilized 
world.    Private  matters,  he  s^d,  required  his  pi^ence 
ti^ere-mattei.  which  he  did  not  choose  to  speak  of, 
butwhach  wopld  prevent  hisretunung  again  to  reside 
amoi^  then,.    Go  he  must,  and  being  a  man  of  deter- 
minat.on,go  he  did;  but  before  going  he  distributed 
aU  his  goods  and  chattels  among  the  settlew.    He  even 
gave  away  his  rifle,  and  F^,  and  Crusoe.    These  Ust, 
however,  he  resolved  should  go  together;  and  as  they 
were  well  worth  having,  he  announced  that  he  would 
^ve  them  to  the  best  shot  «  the  valtey.    He  stipu- 
lated  that  the  winner  should  escort  him  to  the  nearest 
settlement  eastward,  after  which  he  might  return  with 
the  nfle  on  his  shoulder. 

jAooordingy,  a  long  leyd  j)iecfl  of  gromui  ^  tbe^^ 
vera  bank,  i^itu  «  .^ j-    ,      ,.- 


nr^»  bank,  with  a  perpendieular  cliff  at  the  end  of  it. 


"■i  SHOOTDIO  MATCH.  '     jl 

W.S  .elected  «  the  sI>«,tUig  g™„„d,  ^j,  „.  ^;„ 

"Well,  lad,  tot  as  usual,"  exelaimed  Joe  BW  a, 
he^^a^ed  the  g™„„d  and  fouud  Did  Va,le,  the^'h^ 

•' rve  bin  here  more  than  an  hour  lookin-  for  anew 

And  I  ve  found  ,t  ,«,.    L«,k  i<„ ,  j„ 

one  like  it  before?"  ""ersee 

Blunt  leaned  his  rMe  against  the  tree,  and  crefullr 
eiamined  the  flower.  ""reiolly 

Boeky  Mount^n.,  but  never  one  here^w.^.  It  seen,. 
^  ave  gone  lost  iteelf.  The  last  1  seed,  i f'l  „n.il: 
"gWy,  wos  near  the  head-water.  o-  the  TeUowston. 
B  ve,  .t  wos  -jest  where  I  shot  a  gri.zl,  bar." 

d.eek       „ked  V«:ley,  fo,^,.iug  4,  ^^^  '^ 

interest  about  the  bear. 

«ifc  wos.  I  put  six  balls  in  that  bar's  caroase  anfl 
stuck  rny  l^ife  i„to  its  hea.  te.  ti^es  ZT^ 
out;  an'  U  nearly  ripped  the  shirt  off  u.y  back  LTi 
wos  done  with  it."  ^  °"  ^ 

^^OSley,  with  a  sudden  burst  of  enthST 
I       Whoever  got  ,t  wouldn't  hare  ranch  to  h„,g  of- 


htlJ-  iw  Hlli-jiiMM''-|i'W^^  JIf  "■ 


^2 


THE  SHOOTING  MATCH. 


r 


remarked  a  burly  young  backwoodsman,  as  he  joined 

them. 

Hia  remark  was  true,  for  poor  Dick's  weapon  was 
but  a  sorry  affair.  It  missed  fire,  and  it  hung  fire,  and 
even  when  it  did  fire  it  remained  a  matter  of  doubt  in 
its  owner's  mind  whether  the  slight  deviations  fjrpm  the 
direct  line  made  by  his  bullets  were  the  resulfc?|||^ts  or 

its  bad  shooting.  v  ':[  4  '"-^ 

Further,  comment  upon  it  was  checked  by  tBte  arrival 
df  a  dozen  or  more  hunters  on  the  scene  of  action. 
They  were  a  sturdy  set  of  bronzed,  bold,  fearless  "men, 
and  one  felt,  on  looking"  at  them,  that  they  would 
prove  more  than  a  match  for  several  hundreds  of 
Indians  in  open  fight.    A  few  minutes  after,  the  major 
himself  came  on  the  ground  with  the  prize  rifle  on  his 
shoulder,  and  Fan  and  Crusoe  at  his  heels  — the  latter 
tumbling,  scrambling,  and  yelpmg  after  its  mother,  fat 
and  clumsy,  and  happy  as  possible,  having  evidently 
quite  forgotten  that  it  had  been  nearly  roasted  alive 
only  a  few  weeks  before. 

Immediately  all  eyes  were  on  the  rifle,  and  its  merits 
were  discussed  with  animation. 

And  well  did  it  deserve  discussion,  for  such  a  piece 

^had  never  before  been  seen  on  the  western  frontier.    It 

was  shorter  in  the  barrel  and  larger  in  the  bore  than 

tiie  weapons  cMefly  in  vogue  at  that  time,  and  besides 

being  of  beautiful  workmanship,  was  silver  mounted. 


P'  ■'«'* 


5-(«lV  T-J^IP.     e^" 


THE  SHOOTING  MATCH. 


28 


:e,  and  its  merits 


But  the  grand  peculiaritjr  about  it,  and  that  which  after- 
wards rendered  it  the  mystery  of  mysteries  to  the 
savages,  waff,  that  it  had  two  sets  of  locks— one  per** 
cussion,  the  other  flint— so  that,  when  caps  foiled,  by 
taking  off  the  one  set  of  locks  and  affixing  the  others, 
it  was  converted  mto  a  flint-rifle.  The  major,  how- 
ever,  took  car»  never  to  rmi  short  of  caps,  so  that  the 

flint  locks  were  merely  held  as  a  reserve  in  case  of  need. 
"Now,  lads,"  cried  M^or  Hope,  stepping  up  to  the 

point  whence  they  were  to  shoot,  "remember  the  terms. 

He  who  first  drives  the  naU  obtains  4he  rifle.  Fan,  and 

her  pup,  and  accompanies  me  to  the  nearest  settlements. 

Each  man  shoots  with  his  own  gun,  and  draws  lots  for 

the  chance." 

"Agreed,"  cried  the  men. 

« Well,  then,  wipe  your  guns  and  draw  lots. :  Henri 
(will  fix  the  naiL    Here  it  is." 

The  individual  who  stepped,  or  rather  plunged  for- 
vard  to  receive  the  naU  was  a  rare  and  remarkable 

cimen  of  mankind.    Like  his  comrades,  he  was  half 

former  and  half  a  hunter.    Like  them,  too,  he  was 

ad  in  decMkin,  and  was  taU  and  strong— nay,  more 

be  was  gigantic     But,  unlike  them,  he  was  clumsy! 

^kward,  loose  jointed,  and  a  bad  shot.    Nevertheless 

LT-J^""  ^°^^°^  ^^"^^  ^  ^^  settlement,  for 


nmorlnew  no  Bounds.     No  one  ever  saw 
frown.    Even  when  fighting  with  the  savages,  a. 


i 


'T     ■ 

« 

1 

• 

I  , 

t 


24 


THE   SHCM»TIKG   MATCH. 


he  was  sometimes  qpm|)elled  to  do  Lj  self-defence,  he 
went  at  them  with  a  sort  of  jovial  rage  that  was  almost 
laughable.    Inconsiderate  recklessness  was  one  of  his 
chief  characteristics,  so  that  his  comrades  were  rather 
afraid  of  him  on  the  war-trail  or  in  the  hunt,  where 
caution,  and  frequently  souncUes^  motion,  were  essential 
to  success  or  safety.    But  when  Henri  had  a  comrade 
at  his  side  to  check  him  he   was  safe  enough,  being 
humble-minded  and  obedient     Men  used  to  say  he 
must  have  been  born  under  a  lucky  star,  for  notwith- 
standing his  natural  maptitude  for  all  sorts  of  back- 
!'  woods  life,  he  managed  to  scramble  through  every  thing 
with  safety,  often  with"  success,  and  sometimes  with  credit 
To  see  Henri  stalk  a»  deer  was  worth  a  long  day's 
journey.    Joe  Blunt  used  to  say  he  was  "all  jints 
together,  from  the  top'of  his  head  to  the  sole  of  his 
moccassin."     He  threw  his  immense  form  into  the 
most  inconceivable  contortions,  and  slowly  wound  his 
way,  sometimes  on  hands  and  knees,  sometimes  flat, 
through  bush  and  brake,  as  if  there  was  not  a  bone  in 
his  body,  and  without  the  slightest  noise.    This  sort 
of  work  was  so  much  against  his  plunging  nature,  that 
he   took   long  to  learn  it,  but  when,  through  hard 
practice^and  the  loss  of  many  a  fine  deer,  he  came  at 
length  to  break   himself  in  to  it,  he  gradually  pro- 
gressed to  perfection,  and  ultimately  became  the  best 


Ttalker  in  me  vftHey.    This,  and  this  alone,  e^^ 


this  alone,  enabled 


z 


THE  SHOOTING  MATCH.  ^5 

:  ^  *^  P^^""-^  ^«'  ^^  being  Bhort^gbted,  he  could 
^hit  nothing  bejond  fifty  yard,,  except  a  bufelo  or  a 
[barndoor. 

Tet  that  same  lithe  body,  which  «en,ed  «  though 
totany  u„hu,ged,  eoald  no  «,ore  b.  bent,  .when  L 
hnu«ie,  were  strung,  ,h«,  an  iron  post.     No   one 
l™»tled  ^.h  Henri  unless  he  wished  to  have  bis  back 
proken.    Few  could  equal  and  none  could  beat  bin,  a. 
p™»ung  or  leaping  except  Dick  Varley.    When  Henri 
fcan  a  race  even  Joe  Blunt  laughed  out-right,  for  anas 
»d  legs   went  like  todependent  flails.      When  ho 
Jeaped,  he  hurled  bin^elf  into  space  with  a  degree  of 
^.olence  that  seemed  to  insure  .  somer«.ult-^.  ho 
^ways  came  down  with  a  crash  on  his  feet.    Plunging* 

eltlement,  when  unoccupied,  with  his  h«,ds  behind 
«  badt,  .pp.r«,ay  in  .  reverie,  and  when  .illed  on 

^  he  seemed  to  ^  he  must  have  lost  time,  and 

to  oriy  make  up  for  it  by  plun^^.  ^  '^^ 
.  hm.  mto  many  awkwaM  screpes,  but  bis  Hereole«.      - 

™^  soften  got  him  out  of  a,em.    Hewas.Renr 

J^^^'^jlgod^e.r.ej  .felb^n.  e^^„ 
«imda«serTes  special  notion 


But  to  retuni.    THa  '  an^  ^c   '^ 

iio  sort  of  nfle  practico  caUad 


'-v 


/ 


^ 


E7"~' 


\ 


|6 


7H£   SHOOTIKa  MATCH. 


"  driving  the  nail/'  by  which  this  match  was  to  be 
decided,  was,  and  we  believe  still  is,  common  among 
the  hunters  of  the  far  west  It  consisted  in  this,  —  an 
ordinary  large-headed  nail  was  driven  a  short  waj  into 
a  plank  or  a  tree,  and  the  hunters,  standing  at  a  dis- 
tance of  fifty  yards  or  so,  fired  at  it  until  they  succeeded 
in  driving  it  home.  On  the  present  occasion  the  major 
resolved  to  test  their  shooting  by  making  the  distance 
seventy  yards. 

Some  of  the  ol^er  men  shook  their  heads. 

"It's  too  far,"  said  one;  "ye  might  as  well  try  to 
snuff  the  nose  o' a  mosquitoe." 

"  Jim  Scraggs  is  the  only  man  as'll  hit  that,"  said 
'anothes,  .  ,        , 

I'he  man  referred  to  was  a  long,  lank,  lantem-jawed 
fellow  with  a  cross-grained  expression,  of  countenance. 
He  used  the  long,  heavy  Kentucky  rifle,  which,  from 
the  ball  being  little  larger  than  a  pea,  was  called  a  pea- 
rifle.  Jim  was  no  favorite,  and  had  been  naided  Scraggs 
by  his  companions  on  account  of  his  appe&rance. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  lots  were  drajra,  and  the 
shooting  began.    Each  liunter  wiped  out  the  barrel  of  j 
his  piece  with  Us  rani-rod  as  he  stepped  forward ;  then,  j 
placing  "k  ball  ita  the  palm  of  his  left  Wmd,  he  drew  the  | 
stopper^  his  powder-horn  with  his  teeth,  jCuad  poured 
tmt  as  much  powder  as  soffieed  to  «>v«fthe  buile 
This  was  the  regular  measure  among  them.;  Little  time  \ 


^'l 


'^:v;-;^:- 


as'll  hit  that,"  said 


/  THE  SHObTINa  MATCH.  /    27 

[was  lost  In  firing,  for  thk  men  did  not«hang"  on 
the,r  ai,.    The  point  of  tie  rifle  was  slowly  raised  to 
Ithe  object,.anA  the  instant  t^  sight  covered  it,  the  ball 
^ped  to  its  mark.     In  a  few  Uutes  the  nail  waa  encir- 
cled  bybuUet  holes,  scarcely  two  of  which  wei^  mow 
fhan  an  inch  distant  from  the  Lrk,  and  one-fired  by 
Voe  Blunt  -  entered  the  tree  close  beside  it. 
«Ah,  Joel"  said  the  major  « I  thought  you  would 
»ve  earned  off  the  prize." 
"  So  did  ..ot  I,  sir.-  ret„n,ed  Bhn.,  wiU,  a  »hd<e  of 

Ms,  I  i  ha  done  better,  b.t  I  „Lr  coM  hit  U,e  nril. 
fts  too  small  to  Mt." 

"That's  cos  yeVe  got  „o  eyes," imarked  Jim  Scrag™, 
^ith  a  snetr,  as  he  stepped  forward. 

AU  tongues  were  now  bushel  for  the  eipeeted    ' 
^amp.on  w«  .h„„.  .„  fire.    TheTsha,  e„ekTth, 
fle  ™  fonowed  by  .  shout,  foj  Ji„.  ^^  ^ 
»J-I.&d  on  the  edge,  and  part  i  the  buUet  stuA 

tt,  "*■"  'f  *««'»  »»  b^ttei  «ud  a,e  major, 
^_«bIeto«.pee.Ihi.di«.ppointmL    "Whoco^e. 

vements  with  his  m-fl^   *i.-.  —      F  ^^ 


""""  <"■  "^  !»«  «o  th™,  fl,e  wLpou  bodil,  « 


PW"W 


29 


THE   SHOOTINa  MATCH. 


p. 


the  mark.  He  was  received  with  a  shoat  of  mingled 
laughter  and  applause.  After  gazing  steadily  at  the 
mark  for  a  few  seconds,  a  broad  grin  overspread  his 
countenance,  and,  looking^  round  at  his  companions,  he 
said —  ' 

"  Ha  I  mes'boys,  I  can-not  behold  de  nail  at  all ! " 

"Can  ye  'behold'  the  tree?"  shouted  a  voice,  when ; 
the  laugh  that  followed  this  announcement  had  some-| 
what  abated. 

"Oh!  oui,"  replied  Henri  quite  coolly;  "I  can  see 
kinif  an'  a  goot  small  bit  of  de  forest  beyond." 

"  Fire  at  it,  then.  If  ye  hit  the  tree  ye  desarve  the^ 
rifle — leastwise  ye  ought  to  get  the  pup." 

Henri  grinned  again,  and  fired  instantly,  without  tak-  ^ 


mgaun. 


The  shot  was  followed  by  an  exclamation  of  surprise, 
for  the  bullet  was  found  close  beside  the  nail ! 

"It's  more  be  good;  luck  than  goodN^ootin',"  re-r 
marked  Jim  Scraggs. 

«  Fossiblement,"  answered  Henri,  modestly,  as  he  re-f 
treated. to  the  rear  and  wiped  out  his  rifle;  "mais 
have  kill  most  of  my  deer  by  dat  same  goot  luck." 

« Bravo  I  Henri,"  said  Major  Hope  aa  he  passedl 
**  you  deserve  to  win,  anyhow.    Who's  next  ?  " 

"Dick  Varley,"  cried  several  voices;  "where's  Va 
4ey?    Oome^nj  youngtiter,  aa'  take  yer  diot**^—  — 

The  youth  came  forward  with  evident  reltt(!^o 


V 


■ffCTji'T^.  ym^ 


raOl  SHOOTDfO  ]£A.TOH. 


29 


tth  evident  rdtUAano 


'If8  of  no  manner  o'  use,"  he  whispered  to  Joe  Blunt 
1  he  passed,  « I  can't  depend  on  my  old  gun." 

"Never  give  in,"  whispered  Blunt,  encouragingly. 

Poor  Varley-s  want  of  confidence  in  his  rifle  was 
oerited,  for,  on  pulling  the  trigger,  the  fiuthlesp  lock 
aissed  fire. 

"Lend  him  another  gun,"  cried  several  voices. 
"'Gainst   rules  laid  down  by  Migor  Hope,"  said 
Scraggs. 

"  Well,  so  it  is ;  try  again." 

Varley  did  try  again,  and  so  successfully,  too,  that 
he  baU  hit  the  nail  on  the  head,  leaving  a  portion  of 
lie  lead  sticking  to  its  edge. 

Of  course  this  was  greeted  with  a  cheer,  and  a  loud 
spute  began  as  to  which  was  the  better  shot  of  the 

h' There  are  others  to  shoot  yet,"  cried  the  major. 

I «  Make  way.    Look  out." 

pe  men  fell  back,  knd  the  few  hunters  who  had  not 

fired,  took  their  shots,  but  without  coming  nearer 

mark. 

lit  was  now  agreed  that  Jim  Scraggs  and  Dick  Var^ 
being  the  two  best  shots,  should  tiy  over  again- 
M  ,t  was  also  agreed  that  Dick  should  have  the  use  of 
Pon^e.    Lots  were  again  drawn  for  the  first  shot. 


to^lSok,,^  immediately  stepped  oul^  aimed 
aewhat  hastily,  and  fired. 


8* 


80 


THE   SHOOTING  HATCH. 


"  Hit  again  !*'  Bbouted  those  wfio  had  run  forward  to 
examine  the  mark.  "  Ifylf  the  ballet  cut  off  b/^the 
nail  head ! "  #•      ^ 

Some  of  ll^e  more  enthusiastic  of  P^'s  friends 
dieer^d  lustily,  but  the  most  of  the  huntei^Were  grave 
and  silent,  for  they  knew  Jim's  powers,  Juiiiii^elt  that  he 
would  certainly  do  his  best  Jim  now  st%ped  up  to 
the  line,  and,  lookjng  earnestly  at  the  mark,  threw  for- 
ward his  rifle. 

At  that  moment  our  friend  Crusoe  —  tired  of  tor- 
menting his  mother — wadcQe^atupidly  and  innocently 
into  the  midst  of  the  crow^;^^|nen,  and,'in  so  doing, 
received  Henri's  heel 'and  the  fulJnveight  of  his  elephan- 
tine body  on  its  fore  paw.  The  horrible  and  electric 
yell  that  instantly  issued  from  his.  agonized  thk)at  could 
only  be  compared,  as  Joe  Blunt  ex^essed  it,.> "  to  the 
last  dyi^'  screech  o'  a  bustin'  steam  i^er ! "  We  can- 
not say  that  the  effect  was  startling,  for  these  back- 
woodsmen had  been  bom  and  bred  in  the  midst  of 
alarms,  and  were  so  used  to  them  that  a  "^  bustin'  steam 
biler"  itself,  unless  it  had  blown  them  fairly  off  their 
legs,  would  not  have  startled  them.  But  the  effect, 
such  as  it  was,  was  sufficient  to  disconcert  the  aim  of 
Jim  Scrags,  who  fired  at  the  same  instant,  and  missed 
the  nail  by  a  hair's  breadth. 

Tanaing  round  in  towering  wratfi,  Sci^ggs  aimed  a 
kick  at  the  poor  pup,  which,  had  it  taken  effect,  would 


THE  WINNER. 


81 


certainly  have  terminated  the  innocent  existence  of  that 
remarkable  dog  on  the  spot,  but  quick  as  lightning 
Henri  interposed  the  butt  of  his  rifle,  and  Jim's  shin 
met  it  with  a  violence  that  caused  him  to  howl  with 
i^  and  pain. 

"Oh  I  pardon  me  broder,"  cried  Henri,  shrinking  back, 
wiih  the  d^Uest  expression  of  mingled  pity  and  glee.  ^ 
Jim's  discretion,  on  this  occasion,  was  superior  to  his. 
vdor ;  he  turned  away  with  a  coarse  expression  of 
anger^and  left  the  ground. 

MeaalMfhile  the  major  handed  the  sUver  rifle  to  young 

Varley.    « It  couldn't  have  faUen  into  better  hands,"  he 

^eaid.    «To(i'U  do  it  credit,  lad,  I  know  that  fuU  well, 

^Mid  let  me  assure  you  it  will  never  play  you  false. 

Only  keep  it  clean,  don't  overcharge  it,  aim  true,  and  it " 

will  never  miss  the  mark." 

WhUe  the  hunters  crowded  rounfDick  to  congratu- 
late him  and  examine  the  piece,  he  stood  with  a  min- 
gled feeUng  of  bashfulness  and  delight  at  his  unexpected 
good  fortune.  Recovering  himself  suddenly,  he  seized 
his  old  rifle,  and,  dropping  quietly  to  the  outskirts  of  ,, 
the  crowd,  while  the  men  wei«  still  busy  handling  and 
discussing  the  merits  of  the  prize,  went  up,  unobserved, 
to  a  boy  of  about  thu:teen  years  of  age,  and  touched  him 
on  the  shoulder. 


*'Here,lISrston,  you  know  1  often  said  ye  should 
have  the  old  rifle  when  I  was  rich  enough  to  get  a  new 


a2 


THB  wanxKB. 


o^e.  .Take  it  now,  lad.    It's  come  to  ye  sooner  L 
,  either  o'  ^s  expected." 

"I>ick,"  said  the   boy,  graspbg  his  friend's  hand 

wannly,«yer  true  as  heart  of  oak.    If s  good  of 'ee, 
that's  a  fact.!'    ; 

"Not  a  bit,  boy ;  it  coats  me  nothin'  to  give  away  an 
old, gun  that  rVe  no  use  for,  an's  worth  little,  but  it 
makes  me  right  glad  to  have  the  chance  to  do  it." 

Marston  had  longed  for  a  rifle.evey  since  he  could 
walk,  but  his  prospects  of  obtaining  one  wei«  veiy  poor 
Indeed  at  that  time,  and  it  is  a  question  whether  he  did 
not  at  that  moment  experience  as  much  joy  in  hand- 
ling the  old  piece,  as  his  friend  felt  in  shouldering  the 

A  difficulty^  occurred  which  had  not  before  been 
thought  of.  This  was  no  less  than  the  absolute  refusal 
of  Dick  Varley's  canine  property  to  follow  him.  Fan 
had  no  idea  of  changing  masters  ^thout  her  consent 
bemg  asked,  or  her  inclination  being  consplted. 
?  "TouTl  hav^  totieh0r  up  for  a  ^hUe,  I  fefcr,"  said 
the  major^     '^ 

«No  fear,"  answered  the  youth.    "Dog  Bator's  like  " 
human  natur'  I " 

Saying  this  he  seized  Crusoe  by  the  neck,  stuffed 
hmi  oomfortably  into  the  bosom  of  his  hunting  shirt 
and  walked  rapidly  away  witii  the  prize  rifle  on  bil 
TMioulder.     ^' — 7  "- ~ 


to  ye  sooner  than 


.....,,.:,-\ 


A  UOTHSB'a  LOVIR. 


8S 


Fan  had  not  bargained  for  this.    She  stood  irreso- 
lute, gazing  now  to  the  right  and  now  to  the  left,  as  the 
major  reUred  in  one  direction  and  Dick  with  Crusoe  in 
another.    Suddenly  Crusoe,  who,  although  comfortable 
m  body,  was  ill  at  ease  in  spirif,  gave  utterance  to  a 
mehmcholy  howl.     The  mother's  love  instantly  pre- 
vaded.^  For  one  moment  she  pricked  up  her  ears  at 
the  sound,  and  then,  lowering  them,  tn>tted  quietly  after 
her  new  master,  and  foUowed  him  to  his  cottage  on  the 
margin  of  the  lake* 


Dog  natnr's  like 


i 


ift-A<ifewi-.-:.i4'jiA./*.'ir^:'i:--,;,V 


34 


SPECULATIVE  BEMABKS. 


"N 


\ 


CHAPTER  ni. 


-3 


Specnlatire  Remarks  with  which  the  Reader  may  or  may  not  agree. 
— An  Old  Woman. — Hopes  and  Wishes  commingled  with  Hard 
Facts.— The  Dog  Crusoe's  Education  begun. 

It  i^  pleasant  to  look  upon  a  serene,  quiet,  humble 
face.    On  such  a  face  did  Richard  Varley  look  every 
night  when  he  entered  his  mother's  cottage.    Mrs.  Var- 
ley was  a  widow,  and  she  had  followed  the  fortunes  of 
her  brother,  Daniel  Hood,  ever  since  the  death  of  her 
.  husbaiid.    Love  for  her  only  brother  induced  her  to 
forsake  the  peaceful  village  of  Maryland,  and  enter  upon 
the  wild  life  of  a  backwoods  settlement.    Dick's  mother 
was  thin,  and  old,  and  wrinkled,  but  her  face  was  stamped 
with  a  species  of  beauty  which  never  fades  —  the  beauty 
of  a  loving  look.    Ah  I  the  brow  ^  snow  and  the  peach- 
bloom  cheek  may  snare  the  ieart  of  man  for  a  time, 
but  the  loving  look  alone  can  forge  that  adamantine  chain 
that  time,  age,  eternity,  shall  never  break. 

Mistake  us  not,  reader,  and  bear  with  us  if  we  at- 
tempt to  analyze  this  look  which  characterized  Mrs.  ' 


Tafley.    A  rare  dTaanbnd  Js  worth  stopping  to  glwice 
at,  even  when  one  is  in  a  hurry !    The  brightest  jewd 


MBS.  VABLET. 


M 


in  the  human  h_eart  is  worth  a  thought  or  two  I    By  o 
1<y^ng  hok,  we  do  not  mean  a  look  of  love  bestowed  on 
a  beloved  object.     That  is  common  enough,  and  thank- 
ful  should  we  be  thatTt  is  so  common  in  a  world  that's 
overfuU  of  hatred.    StiU  less  do  we  mean  that  smile 
and  look  of  intense  affection  with  which  some  people  - 
good  people  too -greet  friend  and  foe  alike,  and  bf 
which  effort,  to  work  out  their  heau  ideal  of  the  expres- 
sion of  Christian  love,  they  do  signaUy  daniage  their 
cause,  by  saddening  the  serious  and  repelling  the  gay 
Much  less  do  we  mean  ihB,t  perpetual  smile  of  good  wiU 
which  argues  more  of  personal  comfort  and  self-love 
than  any  thing  else.    No,  the  loving  look  we  speak  of 
IS  as  often  grave  as  gay.    Its  character  depends  very 
^  much  on  the  face  through  which  it  beams.    And  it 
«innot    be  counterfeited.    Its    ring  defies    imitation. 
ILike  the  clouded  sun  of  April,  it  can  pierce'  through 
*ears  of  sorrow;  like  ^^e  noontide  smi  of  summer  it 
»»n  bk2e  in  warm  smiles;  like  the  northern  lights  of 
mter,  it  <5an  gleam  In  depths  of  woe  -  but  it  is  always 
l»e  same,  modified,  doubtless,  and  rendered  more  or 
less  patent  to  othe«,  according  to  the  natural  ami*. 
I>.hty  of  him  or  her  who  bestows  it    No  one  can  put 
Iton.    Still  less  can  any  one  put  it  off.    Its  range  ia 
i«.iver^ ;  it  embraces  all  mankind,  thuugh, ./  cwri,, 
;i8  mtensifledon  a  few  favored  objects ;  its  seat  i«,  it, 
he  depths  of  a  renewed  heart,  and  its  foundation  lie. 
«"  love  to  God. 


k  1 


.-   ik 


86 


THE  widow's  cottage. 


Young  Varle/s  mother  lived  '^"^^MtKSlf^  which  was 
of  the  snudlest  possible  dimennsi^ooUsistent  with 
comfort.  It  was  made  of  logs,  aq^Jllleed,  were  all  the 
other  cottages  in  the  valley.  The  door  was  in  the 
centre^  and  a  passage  from  it  to  th6  back  of  the  dwell- 
ing divided  it  into  two  rooms.  One  of  these  was  sub- 
divided by  a  thin  partition,  the  inner  room  being  Mrs. 
Yarley's  bed-room,  the  outer  Dick's.  Daniel  Hood's 
dormitory  was  a  comer  of  the  kitchen,  which  apartment 
served  also  as  a  parlor. 

The  rooms  were  light^  by.  two  windows,  one  on 
each  side  of  the  door,  which  gave  to  the  house  the  ap- 
pearance of  having  a  nose  and  two  eyes.  Opuses  of 
this  kind  have  literally  got  a  sort  of  expression  on — if 
we  may  use  the  word — their  countenances.  Square 
windows  give  the  appearance  of  easy-going  pladdity; 
hngish  ones,  that  of  surprise.  Mrs.  Yarley's  was  a 
surprised  cottage,  and  this  was  in  keeping  with  the 
scene  in  which  it  stood,  for  the  dear  lake  in  front, 
studded  with  islands,  and  the  distant  hills  beyond,  com- 
posed a  scene  so  surprisingly  beaufifbl  that  it  never 
£uled  to  call  forth  an  expression  of  astoni^ied  adnnra- 
tlon  from  every,  new  visitor  to  the  Mustang  Valley. 

**  Mj  boy,**  exclaimed  Mrs.  Yarley,  as  her  s(m  entered 
the  cottage  with  a  bound,  << why  so  hurried  to-day? 
Jjeaijjn&l  yhere  got  yog  the  grand  gun  ?-"^^^=^v^^=^ 

"Won  it,  mother  I" 


TfiB  WIDOW  AND  SOH. 


87 


«Ay,  won  it,  mother,  ^ve  the  naU  ofowi*,  and 
would  ha'  drove  it  altoffether  had  I  bin  more  used  to 
Joe  Blont's  rifle." 

Mrs.  VarleT's  heart  beat  high,  and  her  face  flash^ 
with  pride.as  she  gazed  at  her  son,  who  laid  the  rifle  on. 
the  table  for  her  inspection,  whUe  he  rattled  off  an 
animated    and    somewhat  disjointed    account  of  the 
match. 

^"Deaiy  mel^now  that  was  goodrthat  was  cUver. 
But  whaf  s  that  scraping  at  the-door  ?  " 

«OhI  thafs  Fan;  I^oi^ot  her.  Herel  here  1  Fan  I 
Come  in,  good  dog,-  he  cried,  rising  and  opening  the 
door. 

Fan  entered  and  stopped  uhort,  evidenUy  nncomfort^ 
(able. 

«  My  bo#what  do  ye  with  the  miyWs  dog  ?  « 
"  Won  her  too,  mother  I " 

"Won  her,  my  son?" 

« Ay,  won  her,  and  the  pup  too;  see,  here  it  igl" 
nd  he  plucked  Crosoe  ftom  his  bosom. 
Orosoe  having  fomid  his  position  to  be  one  of  great 
onrfort,  had  feUen  into  a  profound  slumber,  and  on 
eingthus  unceremoniously  awakened,  he  gave  forth  a 
f^^^nt^t^^  bnnight  Fan  in  a  ,tato  gf  faintie 
«^pathy  to  his  me,^  :~^      —^^^--^^--:^ — 


%'■ 


«^ 


i,.4^;i<,=^U■4^1' .,-,-," 


K^ii'iJi^jii.Vu.t'i^!ii^^i4.''^\  ^iA&A. 


kfl£litri.    MJi^ll^■^l^.1i.•i/iJ^ui 


88 


XHS  WIDOW  AND  SOK. 


''Hiere  70a  are,  Fan,  take  it  to  a  corner  and  make 
yoursdf  at  home.  A7,  that's  right,  mother,  give  her 
somethin'  to  eat ;  she's  hongrjr,  I  know  by  the  look  o' 
her  eye." 

«  Deary  me,  Dick,"  said  Mrs.  Varley,  who  now  pro- 
ceeded to  spread  ^  youth's  mid-day  meal. before  him, 
"  did  ye  drive  the  nail  three  times  ?  "  % 

'<No,  only  once,  and  that  not  parfetly.  Brought  'em 
all  down  at  one  shot  —  rifle,  Fan,  an'  pup ! "         ^ 

"Well,  well,  now  that  was  diver;  but  — "  Here 
the  old  woman  paused  and  looked  grave. 

"But  what,  mother?" 

"Youll  be  wantin'  to  go  off  to  the  mountains  now, 
I  fear  me,  boy."         ^ 

"Wantin'  now/"  exclaimed  the  youth  earnestly; 
"I'm  ahoays  wantin'«  Tve  bin  wantin'  ever  since  I 
could  walk ;  but  I  won't  go  till  you  let  me,  mother,  that 
I  won't  I "  And  he  f  truck  the  table  with  his  fist  so 
forcibly  that  the  platters  rung  again. 

"You're  a  good  boy,  Dick ;  but  you're  too  yottag  yit 
to  ventur*  among  the  red-skins." 

"An'  yit,  if  I  don't  ventur'  young,  Td  better  not  vetf^ 
tur^  at  alL  Yon  know,  mother  dear,  I  don't  want  to 
leave  you ;  but  I  was  bom  to  be  a  hunter,  and  ev^- 
body  in  them  parts  is  a  hunter,  and  I  can't  hunt  in  the 
^ttknow^mothfif^I" 


;■>! . 


THE  TBAPPEB8. 


89 


r  and  make 
er,  give  her 
-  the  look  o' 

bo  now  pro- 

.  before  him, 

■  '  ■'*^'  . 

'♦ 
Brought  'em 

n 

;  —  "    Here 


intaiiis  now, 

li  earnestly; 
tver  since  I 
mother,  that 
li  his  fist  so 

30  yotisg  yit 

tter  not  ved^ 
on't  want  ta 
r,  and  evfiji 
t  hunt  in  the 


At  this  point  the  conversation  was  interrupted  by  a 
sound  that  caused  young  Yarley  to  spring  up  and  seize 
his  rifle,  and  Fan  to  show  her  teeth  and  growl. 

« Hist  I  mother ;  that's  like  horses'  hoofs,"  he  whis- 
pered, opening  the  door  and  gazing  intently  in  the 
direction  whence  the  sound  came. 

Louder  and  .louder  it  came,  until  an  opening  in  the 
forest  showed  Jhe  advancing  cavalcade  to  be  a  party 
of  white  men.  In  another  moment  they  were  in  full 
view  —  a  band  of  about,  thirty  horsemen,  dad  in  the 
leathern  costume,  and  armed  with  the  long  rifle  of  the 
far  west  Some  wore  pQrtions  of  the  gaudy  Indian 
dress  which  gave  to  them  a  brilliant,  dashing  look. 
They  came  on  straight  for  the  block-house,  and  saluted 
the  Yarleys  with  a  jovial  cheer  as  tiiey  swept  past  at 
fuU  speed.  Did^  returned  the  cheer  with  compound 
interest,  and  calling, out,  "  They're  trappers,  mother,  111 
be  back  in  an  hour,"  bounded  off  like  -a  deer  through 
the  woods,  taking  a  short  cut  in  order  to  reach  the  block- 
house before  them.  He  supceeded,  for,  just  as  he  ar- 
rived at  the  house,  the  cavalcade  wheeled  round  the 
bend  in  the  river,  dashed  up  the  slope,  and  came  to  a 
sudden  halt  on  the  green.  Vaulting  fix>m  their  foaming 
s^eds  they  tied  them  to  the.stockade^  of  th^  little  for- 
4)res8,  nfhich  they  entered  in  a  body.  ^  ; 

^tot  hgBte  was  in  every  motion  rftitwemen.'^TlKyT' 
were  trappersw  they  said,  on  their  way  to  the  rooky 


ul-'j'lj.iliV  t/li.     ;      ,,       •>- 


* 


40 


TOA   TBAPPEB8. 


Z tains  to  hunt  and  tiftde  fan.  Bat  one  of  thbir 
er  bad  been  treacberouslj  mqrdered  and  scalped 
hj  a  Pawnee  cbief,  and  tbey  resolved  to  revenge  bis 
deatb  by  ah  attack  on  one  of  tbe  Pawnee  villages. 
Tbey  would  teacb  tbese  "ired 'reptiles  "  to^^spect  wbite 
men,  tbej  would,  come  of  it  wbat  migbt ;  and  tbey  bad 
turned  aside  bere  to  procure  an  additional  supply  of 
powder  and  lead. 

.  In  vain  did  tbe  major  endeavor  to  dissuade  tbese 
reckless  nldn  from  tbeir  purpose.  Tbey,  scoffed  at  tbe 
ide{^  of  retunvng  good  for  evil,  and  insisted  on  being' 
supplied  Tbe  log  btit  was  a  ^tore  as>  well  as  a  place 
of  defence,  and  as  tbey  offered  to  pay  for  it  tbere  was 
no  refusing  tbeii^  request — at  least  so  tbe  mtyor  tbougbt. 
Tbe  ammunition  was  tber^fore  given  to  tbem,  and  in 
balf  an  bour  tbey  were  away  again  at  full  gallop  over 
tbe  plains  on  tbeir  mission  of  vengeance.  "  .Vengeance 
is  mine,  I  will  repay,  saitb  tbe  Lord."  But  tbese  men 
knfew  not  wbat  God  said,  because  tbey  never  read  bis 
word,  and  did  not  own  bis  sway. 

Young  Yarley's  entbusiasm  was  considerably  damped 
wben  be  learned  tbe  errand  on  wbicb  the  trappers  were 
bent.  From  tbat  time  forward  be  gave  up  all  desire  to 
visit  tbe  mountains  in  company  witb  such  men^  but  be 
still  retained  an  intense  longing  to  roam  at  lal^  among 
their  rocky.  &atneaBfl6»  and^gaDop  out  upon  the  widfr^ 
prairies.  ;A 


\ 


:',.-^A.. 


i     •      '■■,;..  ;■  t,.,^ii,' 


'  f"'). 


CBUSOJJJS  BDUCAHOIT.  1  41 

Meanwhile  be  dbtifiUly  tended  his  mother's  cittle  and 
sheep,  and  contented  himself  with  an  occasi  Jal  deer 
hunt  in  the  neighboring  forests.    He  devoted  tmself 
I    also  to  the  training  of  his  dog  Crusoe-an  opemtion 
whjch  at  first  cost  him  many  a  deep  sigh. 
EYCiy  one  has  heard  of  the  sagacity  and  ahnost  rea- 
-  Bonmg  capabilities  of  the  Newfomidhind  dog.    Indeed 
some  have  even  gone  the  length  of  saying  that  what  is' 
called  instinct  in  these  anim^  is  neither  more  nor  less 
than  reason.    W  in  truth,  many  of  the  noble,  heroic, 
and  sagacious  dee^  that  have  actuiOly  been  performed 
by  Newfoundland  d^s  incline  us  ahnbst  to  beKeve  that^ 
like  man,  they  are  gi^^th  reasoning  powers. 

i  ^"' ®^^  °"*  ^<>«8  noh«uaj^ttj5.^nM9^d  pa- 
tience  that  is  required  in  order  to  get  a  juvenile  dog  to 

r  understand  what  its  master  means  when  ho  is  endeavor- 
ng,to  instruct  it* 

CrusoQ's  first  lesson  was  an  interesting,  but  not  a 

leiy  successful  one.    We  may  remark  here  that  Dick 

parley  had  presented  Fan  to  his  mother  to  be  her 

NtchMiog  resolving  to  devote  aU  his  powers  to  the 

^orthepup.    We  may  also  remark,  in  reference 

Crusoe's  appearance  (and  we  did  not  rema,^  it 

oner,  chiefly  because  up  to  this  period  in  his  eventful 

fcktoiy  he  was  litUe  better  than  a  ball  of  fat  and  hair), 

'^hmc^mtwaaaingMietl^teckmdiure  White,  and^ 
oarkably  glossy,  curly,  and  fluck. 


i* 


r 


7*».'-, 


..^,A 


i...,. 


^■ 


4S 


OBVSOE'S  EDUCATION. 


I     \ 


A  week  after  the  shooting  match,  Gnisoe's  education 
began.  Having  fed  him  for  that  peribd  with  his  o^v 
hand,  in  order  to  gain  his  affection,  Dick  took  him  oul 
one  sunny  forenoon  to  the  mar^n  of  the  lake,  to  ^ve 
him  his  first  lesson. 

And  here  again  we  must  pause  to  remai^  that,  al- 
though a  dog's  heart  is  generally  gained  in  the  first 
instance  through  his  mouth,  yet,  after  it  is  thoroughly 
gained,  his  affection  is  noble  and  disinterested.  He 
can  scar^fely  be  driven  from  his^  master's  side  by  blows, 
and  even  when  thus  harshly  repelled  is  always  ready, 
on  the  shoitest  notice  and  with  the  slightest  encourage- 
ment, to  make  it  up  again. 

Well,  Dick  Varley  began  by  calling  out  "Crusoe I 
Crusoe  I  come  here,  pup."  ■      ■  ■         -   p 

Of  course  Crusoe  knew  his  name  by  this  time,  for  it 
had.  been  so  often  used  as  a  prelude  to  his  meals,  that 
he  naturally  expected  a  feed  whenever  he  heard  il. 
This  portal  to  his  brain  had  already  been  open  for 
some  days;  but  all  the  other  doors  were  fast  locked, 
and  it  required  a  great  deal  of  careftil  picking,  to  open 
them. 

"  Now,  Crusoe,  come  here." 

Crusoe  bounded  clumsily  to  his  master's  side,  cocked 
his  ears,  and  wagged  his  tail — so  far  his  education  was 
jwrfect.    We  say  he  bounded^ftawatfy,  lor  it  must  t 


remembered  that  he  was  still  a  very  young  pup,  with 
Boft;,  flabby  muscles. 


bet>i>      V^ 


Tk. 


-  \ 


OBUaOE's  ISDTJQATrON. 


49 


^^ 


«mw,  rm  goin'  to  begin'  yer  edication,  pup  j  think 
fj'tliat." 

Wiether  Crusoe  thought  of  that  or  not  we  cannot 
say,  but  he  looked  up  in  hi^  master's  fece  as  he  spoke, 
cocked  his  ears  veiy  high,  and  turned  his  head  slowly 
to  oneiide,  until  it  could  not  turn  any  further  in  that 
direction;  then  he  tunned  it  as  much  to  the  other  side, 
whereat  his  master  burst  into  an  uncontrollabt^  fit  of 

I  laughter^  and  Crusoe  immediately  began  barking  vocifl 

I  erously. 

"Come,  come,"  said  I)k,  suddenly  checking  his 
I  mirth,  «  we  mustn't  phiy,  pup,  we  must  work." 

Drawing  a  leathern  mitten  from  his  belt,' the  youth 
jheld  it  to  Crusoe's  nose,  and  then  threw  it  a  yard  away, 
at  the  same  time  excUiiming  in  a  loud,  distinct  tone. 
*^  Fetch  it."  ' 

Crusoe  entered  at  once  into  the  spirit  of  this  part  of 
-  training ;  he  dashed  gleefuUy  at  the  mitten,  and  pro- 
dded to  worry  it  with  intense  gratification.  As  for 
retch  it,"  he  neither  understood  the  words  nor  cared  a 
aw  about  them. 

[Dick  Varley  rose  immediately,  and  rescuing  the  mit- 
|n,  resumed  his  seat  on  a  rock. 

["  Come  here,  Crusoe,"  he  repeated. 

["?!  ''!^^^'  ^^  *"  «»««"."  said  Crusoe-no  1 


young  pup,  with   ^H  evidently,  that  we  think  it  right  to  let  them  stand  as 


•// 


*  ta  J  >  •'-_^4^^    '*    ^'n 


u 


*  obusoe's  bduoatiok. 


/j:''\ 


they  are  written.  If  he  could  have  finished  the  sen- 
tence,  he  would  certably  have  said,  "  Go  on  with  that 
game  over  again,  old  boy;  it's  quite  to  my  taste— -the 
jolliest  thing  in  life,  I  assure  you ! "  At  least,  if  we 
may  not  positively  assert  that  he  would  have  said  that, 
no  one  else  can  absolutely  affirm  that  he  wouldn't 
♦  Well,  Dick  Varley  did  do  it  over  again,  and  Crusoe 
worried  the  mitten  over  again  —  utterly'' regardless  of 
"Fetch  it." 

Then. they  did  it  again,  and  again,  and  again,  but 
without  the  slightest  apparent  advancement  in  the  path 
of  canine  knowledge, — and  then  they  went  home. 

During  all  this  trying  operation,  Dick  Varley  never 
once  betrayed  the  slightest  feeling  of  irritability  or  im- 
patience. He  did  not  expect  success  at  first;  he  was 
not,  therefore,  disappointed  at  failure. 

Next  day  he  had  him  out  again — ;and  the  next 

and  the  next '^  and  the  next  again,  with  the  like  unfa- 
vorable result.  In  short,  it  seemed  at  last  as  if  Cru- 
soe's mind  had  been  deeply  imbued  with  the  idea  that 
he  had  been  bom  expressly  for  fK  purpose  of  worry- 
ing that  mitten,  and  he  meant  to  fulfil  his  destiny  Jo  the 
letter.  ,        ''[       1 

Young  Varley  had  taken  several  small  pieces  of  meat 
in  his  pocket  each  day,  with  the  intention  of  rewarding 
Crusoe  when  he  should  at  length  be  prevaiM  oa-to 
fetch  the  mitten,  but  as  Crusoe  was  not  aware  of  the 


"t  • 


cbusob's  eduoatioit. 


45 


treat  that  awaited  him,  of  course  the  mitten  never  was 
"fetched." 

At  hist  Dick  Varlej  saw  that  this  system  would 
never  do,  so  he  changed  his  tactics,  and  the  next  morn- 
ing gave  Crusoe  no  breakfast,  but  took  him  out  at  the 
usual  hour  to  go  through  his  lesson.    This  new  course 
qf  conduct  seemed  to  perplex  Crusoe  not  a  UtUe,  for  on 
his  way  down  to  the  beach  ^  paused  frequenUyand 
looke<U)act  ai  the  cottage,  and  'then  expressively  up  at 
his  maker's  ftce.    But  the  master  was  inexo^ble ;  he 
went  on  and  Crusoe  foUowed,  for  <rt«}  love  had  pow 
taken  possession  of  the  pup's  young  heart,  and  he  pre- 
ferred his  master's  company  to  food. 

Varley  now  began  by  letting  the  learner  smell  a 

i  piece  of  meat  which  he  eagerly  sought  to  devour,  but 

^was  prevenMi  to  his  immense  disgust.    Then  the  mitr 

en  was  thrown  as  heretofore,  and  Crusoe  made  a  few 

Iteps  towards  it,  but  being  in  no  mood  for  play  he  turned 

ack. 

«^«teA  iV,"  said  the  teacher. 

«I  won't,"  replied  the  learner  mutely,  by  means  of 

at  e^ressive  sign— no<  rfwn^  tV. 

Hereupon  Dick  Varley  rose,  took  up  the  mitten,  and 
^ut  it  into  the  pup's  mouth.  Then,  retiring  a  couple  of 
Ms,  he  held  out  the  piece  of  meat  and  said,  "J^A 


*^ 


s 


'J.^^,-  iJituirtL"  Cif, 


if^VU.^^  ti.i^'*WJ.*'J&'iu.^-4^.  '5^  , 


/-■ 


■■r*.»«7-|.-w-^f*n 


46 


obusoe's  education. 


Crasoe  instantly  spat  out  the  glove  and  bounded  to- 
wards the  meat — once  more  to  be  disappointed. 

This  TK^  done  a  second  time,  and  Crusoe  came  for- 
ward with  1^9  mittm  in  his  mouth.    It  seemed  as  if  h 
had  been  done  accidentally,  for  he  dropped  it  before  com- 
ing quite  up.    If  sd  it  was  a  fortunate  accident,  for  it 
served  as  the  tiny  fAlcrum  on  which  to  place  the  point 
of  that  mighty  lever  which  was  destined  ere  long  to  raise 
hiig  to  the  pinnacle  of  canine  -erudition.    Dick  Varley 
immedfAtely  lavished  upon  him  the  tenderest  caresses 
and  gave  him  a  lump  of  meat.     But  he  quickly  tried  it 
again  lest  he  should  lose  the  lesson.    The  dog  evidently 
felt  that  if  he  did  not  fetch  that  mitten  he  should  have 
no  meat  or  caresses.    In  order,  however,  to  make  sure 
that  there  was  no  mistake,  Dick  laid  the  mitten  down 
bedide  the  pup,  instead  of  putting  it  into  his  mouth,  and, 
retuing  a  few  paces,  cried,  «  Fetch  it." 

Crusoe  looked  uncertain  for  a  moment,  then  he 
piebed  vp  the  mitten  and  laid  it  at  his  master's  feet 
The  lesson  was  learned  at  last  I  Dick  Varley  tumbled 
all  the  meat  out  of  his  pocket  on  the  ground,  and,  while 
Crusoe  made  a  hearty  breakfast,  he  sat  down  on  a  rock 
and  whistled  with  glee  at  having  fairly  picked  the  lock, 
and  opened  another  door  into  one  of  the  many  chambers 
Oi  his  dog's  intellect  I 


OUB  H£B0'&  GHi^OTEft. 


47 


>- 


'V/' 


CHAPTER   IV. 

>  Our  Hero  enlarged  upon. — Grumpa. 

Two  ye^  passed  away —  the  Mustang  VaUey  set- 
fcement  advanced  prosperously,  despite  oiie  or  two  at- 
tcks  made  upon  it  by  the  savages  who  were,  however, 
nnly  repeUed ;  "Dick  Varley  had  now  become  a  man, 
nd  his  pup  Crusoe  had  become  a  fuU-grown  dog.    The 
|SUver  rifle,"  as  Dick's  weapon  had  come  to  be  named, 
s  weU  known  among  the  hunters  and  the  redskins  of 
i  border-fiinds,  and  in  Dick's  hands  its  buUeta  were  as 
dly  as  its  owner's  eye  was  quick  and  true. 
*  asoe's  education,  too,  had  been  completed.    Faith- 
and  patiently  had  his  young  master  trained  his 

unta  he  fitted  him  to  be  a  meet  companion  in  the 
To  «c^w7»  and  "fetcKwere  now  but  trifling 
Bona  of  the  dog's  acoomplishm^  He  could  dive 
liom  deep  in  the  hike  and  bring  up>y  article  that 
bt  have  been  dropt  or  thrown  in.    His  swimming  t 
^ers  were  marvellorii  and  so  powerfpl  were  hia 
^-ies,  that  he  seemed  to  spurn  the  water  whil^  j.^^  _ 
'trough  1^  with  hU^bipoad  dbest  high  out  of  the 
-  wave,  at  a  speed  that  neitl^  man  nor  beasi 


.Ji^tt.     '..utv.         Ji^.t"^. 


^l/^ 


46 


OUB  HEBO'S  CHABAOTER. 


H 


lb 


could  keep  up  for  a  moment.  Hia  inteUect  now 
was  sharp  ari^  quick  as  a  needle;  he  never  required  a 
'second  bidding.  When  Dick  went  out  hunting  he 
used  frequently  to  drop  a  mitten  or^  powder  horn  un- 
known  to  the  dog,  and,  after  walking  miles  away  from 
it,  would  stop  short  and  look  down  into  the  mild,  gentle 
face  of  his  companion. 

'    «  Crusoe,"  he  said,  in  the  same  quiet  tones  with  which 
s^j    he  would  have  addressed  a  human  friend,  "I've  dropped 
my  mitten,  go  fel^h  it,  pup."    Dick  continued  to  caU  it 
"pup"  from  habit.     ■ 

One  glance^bf  inteUigence  passed  from  Crusoe's  eye, 
and  in  a  rnqnient  he  was  away  at  full  gallop;  nor  did 
he  rest^^d^the  lost  article  was  lying  at  his  master's 
fee|/^|ick  was  loath  to  try  how  far  back  on  his  track. 
<^oe  would  run  if  desired.    He  had  often  gone  back 
i  i^or  six  miles  at  a  stretch;  but  his  powers  did  not 
^  'Stop  here.    He  could  carry  articles  back  to  the  spot 
from  which  they  had  been  taken  and  leave  them  there. 
-      He  could  head  the  game  that  his  master  was  pursuing 
and  turn  it  back;  and  he  would  guard  any  object  he 
was  desired  to  "watch"  with  unflinching  constancy. 
But  it  would  occupy  too  much  space  and  time  to  enu- 
merate  all  Crusoe's  quaUties  and  powers.    His  biogra- 
phy will  nnfold  them. 

In  personal  appeiaSBfift    Be  was  mjyestic,  Mng 
grown  to  an  immense  size  even  for  a  Newfoundland 


OUB  BEBO'S    OHABACTER. 


49 


Had  his  visage  been  at  aU  wolfish  in  charactei',  hia 
aspect  would  have  been  terrible.    But  he  possessed  in 
an  enjinent  degree  that  mUd,  humble  expression  of  face 
peculiar  to  his  race.    When  roused  or  excited,  and 
especially  when'boundbg  through  the  forest  with  the 
chase  in  view,  he  was  absolutely  magnificent    At  other 
times  his  gait  was  slow,  and  he  seemed  to  prefer  a  qttiet 
walk  with  Dick  Varley  to  any  thing  else  undpr  the  sun. 
But  when  Dick  was  inclined  to  be  boisterous,  Crusoe's 
taU  and  ears  rose  at  a  moment's  notice,  an^  he  was 
ready  for  any  iking.    Moreover,  he  obeyed  commands 
instanUy  and  impUcitly.     H  this  respect  he  put  to 
shame  most  of  the  %,  of  the  settlement,  who  we^ 
by  no  means  famed  for  their  habits  of  prompt  obedi- 
lence. 

Crusoe's  eye  was  constantly  watching  the  fiice  of  hia 
aster.  When  Dick  said  «  Go,"  he  wenl^  when  he  said 
'Come,"  he  came.  K  he  had -^en  "Si  the  midst  of  an 
-Kdted  bound  at  the  throat  of  a  stag,  and  Diofc  had 
"-^  out,  "Down,  Crusoe,"  he  would  have  sunk  to  the 
likeastone.  No  doubt  it  took  many  months  of 
iOng  to  bring  the  dog  to  this  state  of  perfection- 
at  Dick  accomplished  it  by  patience,  penwvoiwape,  and 

Beai^  aU  tlg^  Q^soe  (xidd  spgakLH^  Bpdke  L:  ' 


aewMof  the  dog's  dumb  alphabet  in  away  that  defie. 
^-nption.    He  conversed,  so  to  speak,  with  his  «- 

"8  -"'-- 


% 

',T' 


'4- 


^.i 


a 


,^1^    ''t  *?■"'  1V*^«"*^«V  1 


,%. 


50 


OUB  HBBO'S  OHABAOTEB. 


ttemities— >his  head  and  his  taiL  But  his  eyeS;  his  soft 
brown  eyes,  were  the  chief  medium  of  communication. 
If  ever  the  language  of  the  eyes  was  carried  to  perfec- 
tion, it  was  exhibited  in  the  person  of  Crusoe.  But, 
iii^eed,  it  would  be  difficult  to  say  which  part  of  his  ex- 
pressive &ce  expressed  most.  The  cocked  ears  of  ex- 
pectation }  the  drooped  ears  of  sorrow ;  the  bright,  full 
eye  of  joy ;  the  ha^-dosed  eye  of  contentment ;  and  the 
frowning  eye  of  indignation,  accompanied  with  a  slight, 
a  very  slight  pucker  of  the  nose,  and  a  gleam  of  daz- 
zling ivory —-ha  I  no  enemy  ever  saw  this  last  piece  of 
canine  language  without^  full  appredatibn  of  what  it 
meant.  Then  as  to  the  tail— -the  modulations  of  mean- 
ing in  the  varied  ^ag  of  that  expressive  member!  Oh! 
it's  useless  to  attempt  description.  Mortal  man  cannot 
conceive  of  the  delicate  shades  of  sentiment  expressible 
by  a  dog's  tail,  unless  he  )has  studied  the  subject — the 
wag,  the  wa^le,  the  cock,  the  droop,  the  slope,  the 
wriggle!  Away  with  description— •it  is  impotent  and 
valudess  here  I   ■>[■■■  ^     ,«,.. 

As  we  have  said,  Crusoe  was  meek  and  mild.  He 
had  been  bitten,  on  the  dy,  by  half  the  ill-ttatured  curs 
in  the  settlement,  and  had  onfy  shown  his  teeth  in  re- 
turn. He  had  no  enmities — though  several  enemies — 
and  he  had  a  thousand  friends,  parti;ealarly  am<M)g  the 
nSSSks  orffie  wee£  aldl^pBiiici^(Kl^' wli^^^ 
protected  and  avenged  when  opportumty  offeried.:  A, 


iiV  "■ 


■^-r^ri^;-^ 


DICK  AN©  bBUSOE  CONVBBSB. 


61 


single  instance  of  this  kind  will  serve  to  show  his  ohafi- 
aeter..  -''i- 

One  day  Dick  and  Gnuoe  were  sitting  on  a  rock  be- 
side the  lake — the  same  identical  rock  near  which,  when 
a  pup,  the  latter  had  received  his  first  lesson.  They 
^erejomvii-sing  as  usual,  for  Dick  had  elicited  such  a 
fuoAHfrtelligence  from  the  do^a  mind,  and  had  ji^ 
jeWlwh. wealth  of  wisdom  into  it,  that, lie  felt  cpo- 
vinced  it  understood  every  word  he  said.  > 

"  This  is  capital  weather,  Cn^oe ;  aint  it,  pup  ?  "     s 

Crusoe  made  a  motion  with  his  head  which  was 
quite  as  significant  as  a  nod.  ^^  ,  , 

"  Ha !  my  pup,  I  wish  that  you  and.  I  might  go  and 
have  a  slap  at  the  gnxzlj  bars  and  a  look  at  the  Bocky 
[Mountains.    Wouldn't  it  be  nuts,  pup?"    .  »^m  .i:>  h wi 

CbruBoe  looked  dubious.  rift.    ";?. 

"What,  you  don't  agree  with  me!    Now,  teU  me, 
^p,  wouldn't  ye  like  to  grip  a  bar?"      »       ...  ^h 

Still  Crusoe  looked  dubious,  but  made  a  gentle  motioii 
Hth  bis  tail,  as  though  he  would  have  said,  "Pve  seen 
either  Rocky  Mountains  nor  grizely  bare,  and  know 
othhj'  about  'em,  but  Tm  open  to  conviction.*'        r  -^. 

"You're  a  brave  pup,"  rejoined  IMek,  sttoMnt-aie 
log's  huge  head  affectionately.    «iwoulda't  give  yon 
V«^  timw  yjmt'  weight  in  gnMwH  djoHaw   ,  if  Ohw 
i  Sidh  things." ■.:•"-?  J'- 1  ^4  tf^?^v  jfi,^t>„!,4,^'n^-r  -ysn^m^ 

Crusoe  made  no  reply  whatever  to  this.   Hei^fuded 


« 


5S 


^ETBiBinnoif. 


r 


A'l  . 


it  as  a  tniigm  nnwc^hy  of  notice ;  he  evident^  felt  that 
a  comparison  between,  lovie  and  dollars  was  prep<^teroi|8. 
At  this  point  in  the  conversation  a  little  dog  with  a 
lame  leg  hobbled  to  the  edge  of  the  rocks  in  &ont  of 
the  spot  where  Dick  was  seated,  and  looked  down  into 
the*  water,  which  was  deep  tiiere.    'VHiether  it  did  so 
for  the  purpose  of  admiring  its  very  plain  visage  in  the 
liquid  ipirror,  or  finding  out  what  was  going  on  among 
the  fish,  we  cannot  say,  as  it  never  told  us ;  but  at  that 
moment  a  big,  clumsy,  savage-lookiog  dog  rushed  out 
frwn  the  neighboring  thicket  and  began  to  worry  it 
*  Punish  him,  Crusoe,"  said  Dick,  quickly. 
Crusoe  made  one  bound  that  a  lion  might  have  beeilt 
proud  of,  and  seizing  the  aggressor  by  the  back,  lifted 

him  off  his  legs  and  held  him,  howling,  in  the  air at 

the  same- time  casting  a  look  towards  his  master  for 
further  instructions.       ..  *        / 

"Pitch  him  in,"  said  Dick^ making  a  sign  with  his 
hand.  / 

Crusoe  turned  and  quietly  dropped  the  dog  into  the 
lake.  Having  regarded  his  struggles  there  for  a  few 
moments  with  grave  severity  of  countenance,  he  walked 
stowly  back  and  sat  down  beside  his  master. 

The  little  dog  tpade  good  its  retreat  as  fiist  as  three 
legs  would  carry  it,  and  the  surly  dog,  having  swam 

ashoPT,  letir^^fflkily,  withTBs  tafl  very  mudb  between 
hislQgSi 


ff> 


OBirMPS. 


ts 


S  a  sign  with  his 


Little  wonder,  Chen,  that  Crusoe  was  heloyed  hy 
great  and  Bmall  among  the  well-disposed  of  the  canine 
tribes  of  the  Mostang  Yallej. 

But  Crusoe  wad  not  a  mere  machine.  When  not 
actively  engaged,  in  Didk  Varley's  service,  he  busied' 
himself  with  private  little  matters  of  his  own.  He 
undertook  modest  little  excursions  into  the  wooda.or 
along  the  margin  of  the  lake,  sometimes  alone,,  but 
I  more  frequently  with  a  little  friend  whose  whole  heart 
and  bemg  seemed  to  be  swallowed  up  in  admiration  of 
his  big  companion.  Whetbfer  Crusoe  botanized  or 
geologized  on  these  excursions  we  will  not.tentipe  U> 
say.  *  Assuredly  he  seemed  as  though  he  4id  both,  for 
the  poked  his  nose  into  evwy  bush  and  tuft  of  moss, 
jand  turned  over  the  stones,  and  dug  holes  in  the  ground 
■  and,  in  short,  if  he  did  not  understand  these  sdencei^ 
lie  behaved%erjr  much  ha  if  he  did.  Cer^inly  he 
'  lew  as  much  about  them  as-  many  of  the  human 
ecies  do.  ^  .  ,  •       , 

H  thes4  walks  he  never  tock  the  slightest  notice  of 
aps  (that  was  the  little  dog's  name),  but  Grumps 
ie  up  for  this  by  taking  excessive  D^tice  of  him. 
ben  Crusoe  stopped,  ammps  stopped^and  sat  dowtf  ^ 
look  at  him.  When  Crtsoe  trotted  on,  Grumps 
^^^^^LJ^^?^9m^  eatamined  a  buah 


.M- 


down  t0  watch  him,  and  when  he  dug  a  hi^Ie 
Jrumps  looked  into  it  to  see  what  was  there.    Qnms^' 

6* 


<f- 


,ff  -5 


#* 


'  T^^ 


'<|^i^>^ 


I  ! 


ff» 


GBCXPS. 


/^ 


nevto  heilped  him;  his  sole  delight  was  in  looking  on. 
They  didn't  converse  ^ch,  thes^  two  dogs.  To  be  in 
each  other's  compimy  seemed  to  be  happiness  enough— 
at  least  Grumpft  thought  so.  y 

There  was  one  point  at  which  Grumps  ^topped  short, 
however,  and  ceased  to  foUow  his  frien^^^j  and  that  was 
when  he  rushed  headlong  into  the  l^e  and  disported 
himself  for  an  hour  at  a  time  in  its  cpbl  waters.    Crusoe 
was,,  both  by  nature  and  training,  /splendid  waterlog. 
Grumps,  on  the  contrary,  held  prater  in  abhorrence,  so 
he  sflt  on  the  shores  of  the  hike  disconsokte  when  his 
friend  was  bathilig,  and  wait^  tiU  he  came  out.    The 
only  time  when  Grumps  Was  thoroughly  non-plusfed, 
was  when  Dick  Yarley's  whistle  sounded  fainUy  in  the 
far  distance.    Then  Crusoe  would  prick  up  his  ears, 
and  stretch  out  at  fuU  gallop,  clearing  ditch,  and  fence, 
and  hrake  with  his  strong  elastic  bound,  and  leaving 
Qrumps.to  patter  after  him  as  fast  as  his  four-mch  legs 
would  carry  him.    Poor  Grumps  usually  arrived  at  the 
village  to^d  both  dog  and  master  gone,  and  would 
betake  himself  to  his  own  dwelling,  there  to  He  down 
and  sleep,  and  di^^m,  perchance,  of  rambles  and  gam- 
bols  with  his  gigantic  friend. 


#^- 


15" .  ; 


/"•'  • '~    ■  T 


THE  MISSION. 


55 


CHAPTER  V. 

\  »■■■.'  __  _ 

[  k  l^on  of  Peace. -ITnixpected  Joys.  -Dick  Md  Crnsoe  set  off 
foithe  Land  of  tiie  Bed-flkins,  and  ,weet  with  Adventnrea  by  the 
way  as  a  matter  of  tmn^r-^'^igh.t  in  the  Wil^  Woods. 

W!  day  the  i^abitants  of  Mustang  Valley  were 

throwh  into  considerable  excitement  by  the  arrival  of 

J  an  officer  of  the  United  States  army  and  a  small  escort 

of  cavalry.   They  went  direct  to  the  block-house,  wWch, 

smce  Mkjor  Hope's  departure,  had  become  the  residence 

|of  Joe  Bhint— that  worthy  having,  by  general  consent, 

'  en  deeriied  the  fittest  matx  in- the  settlement  to  fill  the 

a^jor's  pli^ce. 

Soon  it  yegan  to  be  noised  abread  that  the  strangen 
'  been  Sent  hf  government  to  endeavor  to  bripg 
at,  if  pos^ble,  a  more  friendly  state  ^  feeling  be- 
reen  the  whJ^  and  the  Indians,  by  means  of  presents,* 
bA promises,  ^d  fafar  speeches.',     . 
The  party  rebained  all  night  in  the  blofek-house,  and 
I  long  it  was  reported  that  Joe  Blunt  had  been  re- 
aested,  and  had Wnsented,  tobe  thQ  leader  and  chief 
"S  party  of  ^hre^  men  who  shodd  visit  the  neighborw 
Bg  tribes  of  Indians  to  the  west  and  north  of  the  val^ 


f'J-T' 


*%*^^'^ 


66 


VISIT  OF  JOB  BLUNT. 


■4.'- 


A 


ley,  as  ^venmient  agents.  Joe'*  knowledge  of  two  op 
three^erent  Indian  dialects,  and  his  well-known  sa- 
gacity,  revered  him  a  most  fitting  messenger  on  such 
an  emnd.  It  was  also  whispered  that  Joe  was  to  have 
the  choosing  of  his  comrades  in  this  mission,  and  many 
were  the  opinions  expressed  and  gqesses  made  as  to 
^ho  would  be  chosen. 

T^t  same  evemng  Dick  Varley  was  sitting  in  his 
mother^  kitchen  cleaning  his  rifle,  his  mother  was 
preparing  supper  and  talking  quieUy  about  the  obsti- 
nacy of  a  particukr  hen  that  had  taken  to  kying  her 
eggs  m  phices  where  they  could  not  be  found^  Fan 
was  coiled  up  in  a  comer  sound  asleep,  and  Crusoe  was 
attmg  at  one  side  of  the  fire  looking  on  at  things  in 
general.  ^ 

«I  wonder,"  remaned  Mrs.  Varley,  as  she  spread 
ihB  table  with  a  pure  white  napkin;  «I  wonder  what 
the  sodgers  are  doin'  wi'  Joe  Blunt." 

As  often  happens  when  an  individual  is  mentioned, 
the  worthy  referred  to  opened  the  door  at  that  moment 
anid  stepped  into  the  room. 

«  Good  e'en  t'ye,  dame,"  said  the  stout  hmiteiv  doffing 
lufl  cap,  and  resting  hid  rifle  in  a,  comer,  while  Dick 
rose  and  ptaqed  a  chair  for  him. 

"The  same  to  you.  Master  Blunt,"  answered  the 
widow;  "you've  ijst  comed  in  g«od  timft  for  . 


Vt^fisCKQ." 


.■'rife^s'i 


AK  DNBXPBOTBD  PBOPOSAL. 


w 


«  Thanlw,  mistress,  I  s'pose  we're  behdden.  to  the  sU- 
Ter  rifle  for  that." 

« To  the  hand  that  aimed  il^  rather,"  suggested  the 
widow. 

"Nay,  then,  say  raither  to  the  dog  that  turned  it,"^ 
said  Dick  Varley.    "But  for  Crusoe  that  buck  #ouU 
ha'  bin  couched  in  the  woods  this  night." 

"Oh I  if  it  comes  to  that/'  retorted  Joe,  "I'd  Uj  it 
to  the  door  o'  Fan,  for  if  she'd  niver  bin  bom  nothef  - 
would  Crusoe.  But  it's  good  an'  tender  meat,  whaUver 
ways  ye  got  it.  Howsiver,  I've  other  things  to  talk 
about  jist  now.  Them  sodgers  that  are  eatin'  buffido 
tongues  up  at  the*block-house  as  if  they'd  niver  ate 
meat  before,  and  didn't  hope  to  ^t  agin  ^or  a  twelve-, 
month — " 

"  Ay,  what  o*  them  ?  "  interrupted  Mrs.  Viffley ;  «  Fve 
[bin  wonderin'  what  was  their  errand." 

"Of  coorse  ye/wos,dame  Varley;  pnd  Tve  oomed 
^ere  a'  purpis  to/  teU  ye.  They  want  me  to  go  to  the 
^  'skins  to  mafce  peace  between  them  end  us;  aoji 
be/ve  brou^  a  lot  o'  goods  to  make  them  presoiits 
vithiJ,— beads,  an'  knives,  an'  looidn'  glasses,  an'vi- 
ttillion  paint,  an'  sich  like,  jist  as  much  as'U  be  a  light 
-  ".  for  one  horse — for,  ye  se^  nothin'  can  be  done  wi» 
be  red-skins  without  gifts."  „        -.  .     ' 

J"  Tia  a^rfeased^miasioa,?  «ud^^^do,y, "  I  yrtitjr~ 
ay  succeed.    D'ye  think  ye'll  go  ?  " , 


^ 


.  ^i«  ,  ^. 


d-y* 


11 


58 


AK  rNEXPEOTSD  FBOFOSAL.' 


**€k)?a7,thiitwmi.''  / 

.     "I  only  wish  they'd  made  the  offer  -to  me,"  said  Dick 
with  a  sigh.  / 

•  "An' so. they  do  make  the  ofier,  lad.  They've  gin 
me  leave  to  choose  the  two  m6n  I'm  to  take  with  me, 
and  Pve  comed  straight  to  a^  yott.  Ay  «r  no>  for  we 
must  up  an'  away  by  break  ^'  day  to-morrow." 

Mrs.  J^arley  started.  «/k>  soon  ?  "  she  said,  with  a 
look  of  anxiety.  / 

"Ay;  the  Pawnees  al-e  at  the  Yellow  Creek  jistj^^t 
this  time,  but  I've  heer'd  they're  'bout  to  break  up  camp 
an'  away  west ;  so  we'll  need  to  use  haflMter ' 

"May  I  go,  mother? "asked  Dick^th  a  look  of 
anxiety.  / 

There  was  evidently  a  conflict  in  the  widow's  breast, 
but  it  quickly  ceased. 

"  Yes,  my  boy,"  she- said  in  her  own  low,  quiet  voice, 
"  an'  God  go  with  ye.  I  knew  the  time  must  come  soon, 
an'  I  thank  Him  that  your  first  visit  to  the  red-skins 
will  be  on  an  errand  o'  peace,  <  Blessed  are  the 
peacem^ers,  for  they  shall  be  called  the~^children  of 


N 


God.' 

Dick  grasped  his  mother's  hand  and  pressed  it  to  his 
cheek  in  silence.  At  thdx^ame  moment  Crusoe,  seeing 
that  the  deeper  feelings  of  his  master  were  touched,  and 


bis  nose  against  him. 


Aiiu'», 


/ 


DXOK  AKD  BIS  MOXHEB. 


<{9 


V   . 


to  me,"  said  JXck 


i  widow's  breast, 


Messed  are  the 
the'^children  of 


Ah  I  pap,"  cried  (he  young  man  hastily,  "yoa  il|»i8t 
go  too.    Of  course  Crusoe  goes,  Joe  Blunt  f" 

«  Hum !  I  don't  know  that.    There's  no  dependin'  on 
a  dog  to  keep  his'  tongue  quiet  in  times  o'  danger." 

<*Bdieye  me,"  exclaimed  Dick,  flashing  with  enthu^ 
siasm,  **  Crusoe's  more  trustworthy  than  I  am  mysel£ 
If  ye  can  trust  the  master  yer  saf^  to  trust  the  pup." 
"Well,  lad,  ye  may  be  right.    Wlttake  him," 
"  Thanks,  Joe.    J^d  who  else  goes  with  us  ?  " 
Tve  bii^castin'  that  in  my  inind  for  some  time, 
i'  Fve  fixed  to  take  Henri.    He'^  not  the  safest  man 
tin  the  valley,  but  he's  the  truest,  that's  a  &ct    ^d 
now,  youdier,  get  your  house  an'  rifle  ready,  and  come 
the  block-house  at  daybreak  to-morrow.     Good  luck 
ye,  mistress,  tUl  we  meet  agin." 
Joe  Blunt  rose,  and  taking  up  his  rifle,— without 
rhich  he  scarcely  ever  moved  a  foot  from  his  own  door, 
■lef^  the  cottage  with  rapid  strides.     ...^ ,  ^    ^  ..^.  .,^_,„.^ 
"My  son,"  said  Mrs.  Varley,  kissing  Dick's  cheek  as 
resumed  his  seat^  ''put  this  in  the  little  pocket  I 
ie  for  it  in  youir  huntine  sMrt"  ..  -  ,       . 

She  handed  him  a  small  pocket  Bible^ .    v  ^ , 

**  Dear  mother,"  ^e  said,  as  he  pla<^  the^book  oare- 

klly  within  the  breast  of  his  coat,  ''the  red-skin  th«t 

kes  that  from  me  must  take  my  scalp  fiziit.     But 

"aftai~Baid  the  isid 


"W^ 


60 


DIOK  iOCD  HIS  MOTHBB. 


\ 


protect  me.  Sohe  will,  mother,  for  sure  it's  an  ex^tmd 
o' peace  1" 

"Aj,  tibat's  it,  that's  it,"  murmured  the  widow  in  a 
half  soliloquy.  • 

IXsk  Yarley  spent  that  night  in  convene  with  his 
mother,  and  next  morning  at  daybreak  he  was  at  the 
place  of  meeting  mounted  on  hia  sturdy  little  horse, 
with  th^  " silver  rifle"  on  his  shouldor,  and  Crusoe  by 
his  side. 

«  That's  right,  lad,  that's  right  Nothin^like  keepin' 
yer  time,"  said  Joe,  as  he  led  out  a  pack-horse  from  the 
gate  of  the  block-house,  while  his  oiirn  charger  was 
held  ready  Addled  by  a  man  named  Daniel  Brand,  who 
had  been  appointed  to  the  charge  of  the  block-house  in 
his  absence. 

"Where's  Henri? — oh  I  here  he  comes,"  exclaimed 
Ditk,  as  the  hunter  referred  to  came  thundering  up  the 
slope  at  a  charge,  on  a  horse  that  resembled  i^s*rider 
in  size^  and  not  a  little  in  clumsiness  of  appearance.     ^ 

"Ah I  mes  boy.  Him  is  a  goot  ^e  to  go,"  cried 
Henri^  remarking  Dick'l  smile  as  he  pulled  up.  "17o 
boss  on  dd  plain  can  beat  dis  one,  surement." 

."  Now  then,  Henri,  lend  a  hand  to  $x  this  pacic,  we've 
no  time  to  palaver."  I  v 

By  this  time  they,  were  joined  by'  several  of  the 
soMieni  imd  a^  few  huntara  who  hfui  come  to  see  them 
start.  .         '        : 


..^■*iWif^Ms|^k.:  .-■,;■>  .■^■.■'ifei^'i. 


y  i.'  'i'^^K^Ay^'-: ■■■  v.^'^.v*.-;--?*^^-- '>J^/.^-:>--.-.wt:^-i^','  W-*/' 


¥' 


Vm  PBIFABATION. 


61 


ire  it's  an  expand 


the  widow  in  « 


than  that  time,  what^s 
for,"  said  Joe,  tighten- 


"Bemember,  Jde,"  cried  one,  *<if  70a  don't  eome 
hade  in  three'  BMWtbtJg^all  ootne  oat  in  a  band  to. 
seekjon." 

"  If  we  don't  00ml 
left  0'  m  w(Hi't  be  wq 
ing  the  girth  of  his 

"Put  a  bit  hi  yer  own  month,  Henri,"  cried  another, 
i  as  the  Canadian  arranged  his  steed's  bridge ;  **  ye*!!  need 
jit  more  than  yer  horse  when  ye  git  'mong  the  red  rep^ 
mea." 

"Vraiment,  if  mon  motit^  needs  one  bit  your's  will 
[need  one  padlodc"  "*  '    ■ 

"  Now,  lads,  mount  I"  cried  Joe  j^lunt,  as  he  vaulted 

[into  the  saddle.  /.  ,.     / 

Dick  Varley  sprang  lightly  on  his  horse,  and  Henri 

le  a  rush  at  his  steed  and  hnried  his^nge  fi^pie 

cross  its  baok-wiUi  a  violence  that  <il^^to  have 

ought  it  to  the  ground ;  but  the  tall,  raw-boned,  broad- 

[lested  roan  was  accustomed,  to  the  eccentricities,  of 

master,  and  stood  the  shock  bravely.    vBemg  ap- 

tinted  to  lead  the  pack-horse,  Henri  seiMd  jtti  halter; 

^en  the  three  cavaliers  shook  their  reins^  an^  waving 

"eir  hands  to  ih^  comrades,  thej  spnmg  into  the 

^oods  ai  ^UisaUop,  and  laid  their  oour^/w  tibe  *<&c 

occupied  with  his  own  thoughts,  Gmsoe  keeping 


<*i 


I  / 


62 


OFF  TO  THfi  FRAIBIE  AT  LAST. 


0 


jdose  beside  his  master'a  horse.  The  two  elder  hunters 
evidently  ruminated  on  the  object  Of  their  mission  and 
the  prospects  of  success,  for  their  countenances  were 

•  grave  add  their  eyes  cast  on  the  ground.  Dick  Varley, 
too,  thought  up<»i  the  red-men,  but  his  musings  were 
deeply  ti|ged  with  the  bright  hues  of  ajirst  adventure. 
The  mountams,  the  plains,  ^hi^  Indians,  the  bears,  the 
buffiJoes,  and  a  tho^isand  other  objects,  danced  wildly 
before  his.  mind's  eye,  and  his  blood  careered  through 
his  veins  and  flushed  his  forehead  as  he  thought  of 
what  he  should  see  and  do,  and  felt  the  elastic  vigor  of 
youth  respond,  in  sympathy  to  the  light  spring  of  his 
active  little  steed.  He  was  a  lover  of  nature,  too,  and 
his  flashing  eyes  glanced  observantly  from  side  to  side 
as  they  swept  along, — sometimes'  through  glades  of 
forest  tn^s;  sometimes  through  belts  of  more  open 
ground  and  shrubbery  ;.^on  by  the  margiflhbf  a  stream, 
{^  along  the  snores  of  a  little  lake,  and  often  over 
short  streteliM  of  flowering  prairie-land,  —  while  the 
firm,  elastic  turf  sent  up  a  muffled  sound  from  the  tramp^ 
4)f  their  mettlesome  chargers.    It  was  a  scepe  of  wild, 

€bixuriant  beauty,  that  might  almost  (one  could  fancy), 

"Itave  drawn  involuntary  homage  to  its•bo^ntiful  Creator 

#fix>m  tiifi  lips  even  of  an  infideL 

After  a  time  Joe  Blunt  reined  up,  and  they  preceded 
~  aA  aif^lasy  ambUag^pac8ir  Jw  and  Ma  friend  gwHi-= 
were  so  i^  to  these  beautiful  scenes  that  they  had  , 


V. 


f* 


T  hunters 
ssion  and 
ces  were 
k  Yarley, 
ngs  were 
dventore. 
bears,  the 
jd  wildly 
.  through 
lought  of 
3  vigor  of 
Dgof  his 
,  too,  and 
[e  to  side 
glades  of 
:>re  open 
a  stream, 
len  over 
rhile  the 
he  tramp^ 
of  wild, 
d  fancy)) 
1  Creator 


troci 
1^ 


THE  FmST  DAT  IK  THE  WILDS. 


«mn 


63 


long  ceased  to  be  enthunastical^  affected  by  them, 
though  they  never  ceased  to  delight  in  them. 

"I  hope,"  said  Joe,  "that  them  sodgers  '11  go  their 
ways  soon.  I've  no  notion  o'  them  chaps  when  they're 
left  at  a  place  wi'  nothin'  to  do  but  whittle  sticks."   • 

"Why,  Joe!  "exclaimed  Dick  Varley  in  a  tone  of 
surprise,  "I  thought  you  were,  admirin'  the  beautiful: 
face  o'  nature  all  this  time,  and  yer  only  thinkin'  about 
the  sodgers.    Now,  that's  strange  1 "        , 

"  Not  so  strange  after  all,  lad,"  answered  Joe.   "  When 
•  a  man's  used  to  a  thing  he  ^ts  to  admire  an'  enjoy  it 
without  speakin'  much  about  it.    But  it  i$  true,  boy, 
{hat  mankind  gits  in  coorse  o'  time  to  Uiink  little  o' 
the  blissins'  he's  used  to. 
«  Oui,  c'est  vrai  I "  murmured  Henri  emphatically. 
"Well,  Joe  Blunt,  it  may  be  so;  but  I'm  thankful 
Tm  not  used  to  this  sort  o'  thing  yet,"  exclaimed  Var- 
ley.   "  Lef  s  have  another  gallop  —  so  ho  I  come  along, 
Crusoe  !•"  shouted  the  youth,  as  he  shook  his  reins,  and 
flew  over  a  long  stretch  of  prairie  on  which  at  that  mo- 
ment they  entered. 

Joe  smiled  as  he  followed  bistenthusiastic  companion, 
but  after  a  short  run  he  pulled  up. 

"  Hold  on,  youngster,"  he  crie^  «ye  flaust  him  to  do 
as  yer  bid,  lad;  ifs  trouble  enough  to  be  among  wild 
^tgg»^tad  4m  4HiffaloMr  as^I^h(^  aooa  to^be,  withonL 


they  had 


*      havin'  wild  comrades  to  look  after." 


6^ 


DICK  IS  OBSTBEPEBOI78. 


Dick  laughed  and  reined  in  his  panting  horse.  «  ni 
be  as  obedient  as ICrusoe,"  he  said,  "and  no  one  eaa 
beat  him."  ^ 

"Besides,"  continued  Joe,  "the  horses  won't  travel 
&r  if  we  begin  bjr  runnin'  all  the  wind  out  o'  them." 

"  Wah ! "  exclaimed  Henti,  as  the  led  horse  becanie 
restive ;  « I  think  we  must  give  to  him  de  pack-hoss  for 
toljead,  ehl" 

"Not  a  bad  Aotion,  Henri.  Well  make  that  the 
penalty  of  rpnnin'  oflF  again;  so  look  out,  Master 
Dick." 

"  I'm  down,"  replied  Dick  with  a  modest  air, «  obedient 
as  a  baby,  and  won't  run  oflF  again— till— .the  next 
time.  By  the  way,  Joe,  how  many  days'  provisions  did 
ye  bring  ?  " 

"Two.  That's  'nough  to  carry  us  to  the  Great  Prai- 
rie,  which  is  thre^e  weeks  distant  from  this;  our  own 
good  rifles  must  make  up  the  difference,  and  keep  us 
wJiKsn  we  get  there." 

"And  s'pose  we  neither  find  deer  nor  boffido^"  sug- 
■  gested  Dick. 

^^"I  s'pose  we'll  have  to  starve." 

«  Dat  is  comfur'able  to  tink  upon,"  remarked  Henri. 

"More  comfortable  to  think  o'  than  to  undergo,"  said 
Dick, «  but  I  t'pose  there's  little  chance  o'  that." 

"Well,  not  much,"  replied  Joe  Blun^ patting  his 


»^ 


s  neck,  «but  d'ye  see,  lad,  ye  niver  oan  oonnt  £» 


'  VS 


AN  AlTPBtOPK.  ^  65 

sartin  on  anj  thin*.  The  deer  ana  buffalo  ought  to  be 
thick  in  them  phiins  at  ttus  time— and  when  the  buf- 
fido  are  thick,  they  covers  the  plaint  till  ye  can  hardly 
see  the  end  o'  them ;  but,  ye  see,  sometimef  the  rascally 
red-ekins  takes  it  into  their  heads  to  bum  the  prairies, 
and  sometimes  ye  fin4  the  place  that  should  ha  tin 
black  wi'  buflMo,  black  as  a  coal  wi*  fire  for  nules  an' 
miles  on  end.  At  othep^^es  the  redskins  go  huntin' 
in  'ticular  places,  and  sweeni^them  clean  o'  every  hoof 
that  ddn't  git  away.  Sometimes,  too,  the  animals  seems 
to  take  a  scunner  at  a  phice  and  keeps  out  o'  the  way. 
But  one  way  or  another  men  gin'rally  manage  to  scram- 
ble through." 

«  Look  yonder,  Joe,"  cxdaimed  Dick,  pointing  to  the 
summit  of  a  distant  ridge,  where  §  small  black  object 
was  seen  moving  against  the  sky, « that's  aj^eer,  aint  it  ?  " 

Joe  shaded  his  eyes  with  liis'hand  and^ed  earnestly 
at  the  object  in  question.  « Jer  right,  boy;  and  by 
good  luck  we've  got  the  wind  of  him.  Cut  lb  an'  take 
your  chance  now.  There's  a  long  strip  o'  wood  as  11 
let  ye  git  dose  to  him."  ^ 

Before  the  sentence  was  well  finished,  Dick  and  Crn- 
soe  were  off  at  foil  gallop.  For  a  few  hundred  yards 
they  couised  along  the  bottom  of  a  hollow;  then  turn- 
ing to  the  right  they  entered  the  strip  of  wood,  and  in 
A^few  mimito^^pum44h»odge  of  it  Ileie  Dick  di^^ 
niomtted. 

•«•  .-     t  ' 


.  .« 


■IS 


€6 


DibE  DODCNBS  HDCi. 


"Ton  can't  help  me  ber^  Crusoe.  Stay  where  ydtt 
are,  ^p,  4Dd  bold  my  horse."  V  '         •     •' 

Crusoe  Seized  the  end  of  the  lin^  which  ma  fimtened 
to  the  horse's  EiQse,  in  bis  mouth,  and  lay  down  on  a 
hillock  of  moss,  submissively  placing  his  chin  on  bis 
forepaws,  and  w^hing  his  master  as  he  stepped  noise- 
lessly through  the  wood.  In  a  few  minutes  Dick 
emeiged  from  among^the  trees,  and,  creeping  from  bush 
to  bush,  succeeded  in  getting  to  within  six  hundred 
yards  of  the  deer,  wbi<^b  was  a  beautiful  littl^  antelope. 
Beyond  the  bush  behind  which  he  now  crouched  all  was 
bare  open  ground,  with<^ut  a  shrub  or  hillock  large 
enough  to  conceal  the  hunter.  There  was  a  slight  undu- 
lation in  the  ground,  however,  which  enabled  him*  to  . 
advance  about  fifty  yards  further,  by  means  o^  lying 
down  quite  flat  and  working  himself  forward  like  a  ser> 
pent.  Further  than  this  he  could  not  move  without 
^being  seen  by  the  antelope,  which  browsed  on  the  ridge 
before  him  in  fancied  securfty.  The  distance  was  too 
great  even  for  a  long  shot,  but  Dick  knew  of  a  weak  pcnnt 
in  this  little  creature's  nature  which  enabled  him  to  accoior 
plish  his  purpose— a  weak  point  which  it  shares  in  com- 
mon with  animals  of  a  higher  order,  —  namely,  curiosity. 

The  little  antelope  of  the  North  American  prairies  is 
intensely  curiotu  about  every  thing  that  it  does  not'qoitei 
und6rp*f"'^)  nnii  will  not  r^st  '"^*?''fi**d-  ii"t*l  Hr  hw#  **n- 


deavored  to  dear  up  the  mystery.    Availing  himself 


'^^^ 


a&Ki 


^Os 


0BU80«  KAta^a  mUSBLV  178EFUL. 


61 


of  thi»  propeqsiiy,  Dick  did  what  both  Indians  'si^  ?; 
htmters'are  accustomed  to  do  on  those  dicoasions, — h« 
pat  a  piece  of  rag  on  the  eai.  of  his  ramrod,  and,*^  keep- 
ing his  person  concealed  and  perfectly  still,  waved  this 
miniature  flag  in  the  air«  The  antelope  noticed  it  at 
once,  and,  pncking  up  its  ears,  began  to  advance,  timidly 
and  slowly,  step  by  step,  to  see  what  remarkable  phe- 
nomenon it  could  be.  In  a  few  seconds  the  flag  was '' 
lowered,  a  sharp  crack  followed,  and  the  antelope  fell 
dead  upon  the  plain. 

«  Ha,  boy  I  that's  a  good  supper,  anyhow,"  cried  Joe, 
as  he  galloped  up  and  dismounted. 
«  Goot  I  dat  is  better  nor  dried  meat,"  added  Henri. 
"  Give  him  to  me ;  I  will  put  him  on  my  boss,  vich  ia 
fitrongar  dan  youm.     But  'ver  is  your  boss  ?  " 

« He'll  be  here  in  a  minute,"  replied  Dick,  putting 
his  flagers  to  his  mouth  and  giving  forth  a   shriU^I 
whistle.   ,    .  ■    <#«Nf*,  «r~ 

The  instant  Crusoe  heard  the  sound  he  made  a  savage 
and  apparently  uncalled  for  cUsh  at  the  horse's  heels.  * 
This  wild  act,  so  contrary  to  the  ^^^  gentlei  nature,  was 
a  mere  piece  of  acting.    He  knew  that  the  horse^^ld  ' 
not  advance  without  gettmg  a  fright,  09,  he  gavi^ua  = 
oneintiiisway  whichsejatrhimoffata^op.    Crusoe 
followed  close  at  his  heels,  so  as  to  bring  the  line  along-' 
~jid»^of  the  ai^%  bw^rand  thereby  prevent  its  getting^ 
entangled ;  but  despite  his  best  efforts  the  horse  got  oni 


^;> 


■*•>■ 


^* 


w^ 


*'"f 


i. 


^m 


oiik  tS9»^lBL  tree  ^ 
i^goUsfaoMpftheli^ 
^enabIe^:JhiQ(i  to  cftfeh  it 

SrsaQally  checked  the  hdne's  speed,  and  flnaliy 
|!«lih)a  up  to  his  ipaster's  si^        -'       -'^ 
^m^^'-W"^'^  cKver  cur,  good  s«^,*' exclaimed  Joe  Btant 


"Ah,  Joe!  you  haven't  sejip^inuch  of  Crusoe  yet. 

«     Ipe's  as  good  as  a  mau  any  da^  I've  done  little  else 

V  but  train  him  for  two  years ,  g^  by,  and  he  can  do 

,"  most  any  thing  but  shoot— he  caftl?t  handle  the  rilBe  no- 

i  Ww/'  ■  ^ 

^  "  ^a  I  then,  I  tink  perhaps  hims  could  if  he  wos  try," 
\  ^d  Hcinri,  phinging  on  to  his  horse  with  a  laugh,  i^id 
1  artan|(!ng  the  jcarcase  of  the  antelope  across  the  pommel 
of  his  saddle. 

Thus. they  hunted  and  galloped,  and  trotted  and  am^ 
bled  on  through  wood  jcind  plain  all  day,  until  the  sun 
began  to  descend  below  the  £r^' tops  of  the  bluffi  on  the 
west — then  Joe  Blunt  looked  about  him  for  a  place  on 
.which  to  camp,  and  finally  fixed  on  a  spot  under  the 
shadow  of  a  noble  birch  by  the  milkin  of  a  little  stream^ 
The  carpet  of  grass  on  its  ban](J|Kof):  like  grebn  ^1- 
▼et,  and  the  rippling  waters  of^BBfaok  were  dear  as 
italjT-  ▼eiy  difi'^rent  IJJlJ^uddy  ^8s<|uri  into 
yhidi  it  flgyed. 


Wl^e  Diok  Yarley  fi 


V 


firewood,  Henri 


.Kk 


.     V 


INDIAN  THIEVING  PBOfENSITIBfl. 


69 


ttnpacked  thb  horses  and  turned  tliem  looseuto  graze,, 
and  Joe  kindled  the  fire  and  prepared  venison  steaks 
-^.J^d- hot  tea  for  supper. 

In  exqursions  of  this  kind  it  is  customary  to  «  hobble  *• 
the  horses;  that  is,  tb  tie  their  fore-le^  together,  so, 
(  that  they  cannot  run  either  fast  or  far,  but  are  free 
'  enough  to  amble  about  with  a  dumsy  sort  of  hop  hi 
search  pf  food.    This  is  deemed  a  feufficieiM!j5he(Jk  on 
their  tendency  to  roam,  although  somlt  of  th^knowing 
horses  sometimes^leam  to  hop  so  fast  with  th^ir  hobbles 
as  to  give  their  owners  much  tA^le  to  recapture  them. 
But  when  out  in  the  prairies  where  Indians  are  known 
or  supposed  to  bo  in  the  neighborhood,  the  horses  are 
picketted  by  means  of  a  pin  or  stake  attached  to  the 
ends  of  their  long  l^ryats,  as  well  as  hobbled —fo^  Vi- 
dians de^  ii^o  disgrace  to  steal  or  tell  lies,  though 
they  think  it  disgraceful  to  be  found  out  in  doing  eillier.  . 
And  so  expert  are  these  dark^kinned  natives  of  the 
^  western  prauries,  that  they  will  creep  into  the  midst  df   ; 
'  an  enemy's  camp,  cut  the  hiryats  and  hobbles  of  several^ 
hanea^madaa  sndliiil^^|^  theur  backs,  and   gallop^ 

tribes  that 

bayiness 

Whea 


Jy-^^ 


'ixmmsiWo^  mxe 


m  a  country  w^re  eqendeei  art 


!] 


j?rowlinft  they  guard  Mr  aampaafrni^twithjeiaoiMi-h   -1- 


j»^  "^^-^  - 


r 


u"  L ''    _*"■  ^  '"^^tr-^  *' "  s-^  'i"^  "^'  *^  •?/  * 


i' 


J 


r?' 


I 


I// 


70 


THB   OAUF. 


icare.  The  horses  in  particular' are  both  hobbled  and 
picketted,  and  sentries  are  posted  all  roI^ld  the  camp. 

.  Yety  in  spite  6f  these  precautions,  hostile  Indians  man- 
age to  elude.the  sentries,  and  creep  into  the  camp.  Whoi 
a  thief  thus  succeeds  in  affecting  an  entrance,  his  chief 
danger  is  past.  He  rises  boldly  to  his  feet,  and,  wrapr 
ping  his  blanket  or  buffalo  robe  round  him,  he  walks  up 
and  down  as  if  he  were  a  member  of  the  tribe.  At  the 
same  time  he  dexterously  cuts  the  larjats  of  such  horses 

1  as  he  observes  are  not  hobbled.  He  dare  not  stoop  to 
cut  the  hobbles,  as  the  action  would  be  observed,  and 
suspicion  would  be  instantly  aroused.  He  then  lei^  (m 
the  best  horse  he  can  find,  and  uttering  a  terrifie  w«r- 
whoop  darts  away  into  the  plains,  driving  the  loosened 

^  horses  before  him. ' 

No  such  dark  thieves  Were  suppttid  to  be  near  the 
camp  under  the  birch-tree,  however,  so  Joe,  and  Dick, 
and  Henri  ate  their  supper  in  comfort,  and  let  their 
horses  br&wse  at  will  on  the  rich  pasturage. 

,      A  bright  ruddy  fire  was  soon  kindled,  which  created, 
as  it  were,  a  little  ball  of  light  in  the  midst  of  surroundn 
ing  darkness  for  the  special  use  of  ^  hardy  hunters.  - 
Within  this  magic  circle  all  was  wami/comfdrtable»  and 
dieery.    Outside  all  was  dark,  and  odd,  and  dreary  by 

.  contrast.  ,"   :    .    .      ■    »  ■     :  v/ji.''--,:  kv.:',,i,r  .;■;•, 


BUppef  wife  disposed  df' 
tea8ii4  pipes  were  introduced,  add  convenaiiQii  b^an 


#■ 


P 


u^Ui.  ■ 


*^     ** 


**k^,y^Vl^ 


>'<. ,ij>i(  Vim-  f 'y"# 


■0 


THB    GAVP. 


71 


to  flow.  Then  the  three  saddles  were  placed  in  a  row ; 
each  hunter  wrapped  himself  in  his  blanket,  and,  pillow- 
ing his'  head  on  his  saddle,  stretched  his  feet  towards 
the  fire  ^d  went  to  sleep,  with  his  loaded  rifle  by  his 
side  and  his  hunting  knife  handy  in  his  belt.  Crusoe 
mounted  guard  by  stretching  himself  out  eouchant  at 
Dick  Varley's  side.  The  faithful  dog  slept  lightly  and 
never  moved  all  night,  but  had  any  one  observed  him 
closely  he  would  have  seen  that  every  fitful  flame  that 
burst  from  the  sinking  fire,  every  unusual  puff  of  wind, 
and  every  motion  of  the  horses  that  fed  or  rested  hard 
by,  had  the  effect  of  revealing  a  speck  of  glittering 
white  ia  Crusoe's  watchful  eye.  ,.* 


w  .f  „ 


/^-^ 


> 


. '     -*  f  ,8 . 


/ 


■1. 


4- 


.    t  J    iiKi'  - 


»«       * 


■SS'. 


:^-m' 


■i'         %    'f    W' 


'*  XABLT  HORNINO.' 


> 


A. 


s>' 


A) 


IVa.'  ii 


^ » 


i3f 


J- 


CHAPTER  VT. 

The  Great  Prairies  of  the  Far  West —A  Bemarkable  Colony  diacor- 
^         ered,  and  a  MiseraU^  Nijjht  endured.      • 

Of  all  tK^rliours  of  the  night  aM«[.  the  hohr^that 
succeeds  the  dawn  is  the  purest,  the^iPftt  joyous,  and* 
the  best  At  least  so  think  we ;  and  sa  think  hundreds 
and  thousands  of  the  human  family ;  and  so  liiought 
Dick  Varley,  as  he  sprung  suddenly  into  a  sitthig^^ms- 
tfire  ne|rt  morning,  and  threw  his  arms  wf^an  exulting 
feeling  oi|  delight  rou|4  the  neck  of  Crusoe,  who  ia- 
stanthr  sat  tip  to  gr^et  1^. 

'IP^s  was  lil  unusual  piece  of  enthjidasm  on  the  part 

of  i)ick,  but  the  dog  receiveid  it^with  marked  satisfao- 

rubbed  |^  big,  haii^cheejk  against  that  of  his 

^bung  master,  lalid  a]^  from  hiyjsdenlfry'  position  in 

drdcjr  to  afford J|^^)|^e  for  the  use  of-iis  tail 

^  ?^°|jif  ^^'  ¥«"" '    Up,l)oy«i,  up!    The  sun 

will  ha^B  8^  o'.us.    ni^catch  the  nags." 

*  So  safpg,  I^  bounded  away  into  Ithe  woods  with 

-Cmsoo^^mboUing  joyowly  mr^At-heelfc —BiA  «Ott- 

<»u^ht  his  own  horse  and  Crusoe  caught  Joe's.    Then 


i&' 


Then 


} 


THE  O^BAT  PBAIE^. 


78 


the  fonneiMnounted  and  quickly  brought  in  the  other 
two. 

Beturning  to  the  camp  he  found  eveiy  thing  packed 
and  ready  to  strap  on  theJia<4  of  the  pack-horse. 

"That's  the  way  to  do  it,  lad,"  cried  Joe.  «Hei«, 
Henri,  look  iflive  and%it  yer  beast  refedy.  I  do  believe 
yer  goin*  to  take  another  snooze  I '' 
^  Henri  was  indeed,  at  that  naoment,  Induing  in  a 
gigantic  stretch,  and  a  cavernous  yawn,  but  he  finished 
both  hastily,  and  rushed  at  his  poor  horee  as  if  h^in- 
tend^  to.  slay  it  on  the  spot.  He  only  thi«iw  the  sad- 
dle on  its  back,  however,  and  then  threw  himself  on  the 
saddle. 

"Now  then,  all  ready?"  ^  ; 

%«Ayi— Oui,yi8!" 
And  away  they  went  at  fiill  stretch  again  on  their 
journey. 

Thus  day  after  day  they  traveUed,  and  night  after 
>^;bight  they  laid  them  down  to  sleep  under  the 
the  forest,  untU  at  length  they  reached  the  edge 
':'   Great'Prairie. 

It  was  a  great,  a  memorable  day  in  the  life  of^Dii 
Varlqr,  that  on  which  he  first  beheld  the  prairie,— the 
llBst  boundless  prairie.  He  had  heard  of  it,  talked  of 
i^4reamed  about  it,  but  he  had  never,— no,  he  had 


N 


''■v^^ 


rt&QK  Xlir  concejpti<»ui 
of  things  that  we  have  not  seen  are  ahnost  inv^iiiMy 


■^^^ 


.fiS 


SIV*   '>•.  S- 


tl,  -T* 


74 


DICK  la  AGAIN   OBBTftKPEBOUS. 


r 


wrong.  Diofc^  eyta  glittered,  and  his  heart  swelledi 
and  his  cheeks  flushed^  and  his  breath  came  thick  and, 
quick.  , 

"There  it  is,"  he  gae|ped,  as  the  great  rolling  plain 
broke  suddenly  on  his  enraptured  ga«e;  *' that's  it-- 
ohI--»'  ■■■.'%■'■"■ 

Dick  uttered  a  jell  that  would  hlaye' done  credit  to 

the  fiercest  diief  of  the  Pawnees,  ^md,  being  unable  tjo 

utter  another  word,  lie  swung  his  cap  in  the  ak.  and 

spr^g  like  an  arrow  from  a  bow  over  the  mighty  ocean 

of  grass.     The  sun  had  just  risen  to  send  a  flood  of 

golden  glory  over  the  scene;  the  horses  were  fresh,  so 

the  elder  hunters,  gladdened  by  the  beauty  of  all  around 

them,  and  inspired  by  the  irresistible  enthusiasm  of  their 

jpoung  companion,  gave  the  reins  to  the  horses  and  flew 

after  him.    It  was  a  glorious  gfdiop,  that  first  headlong 

dash  over  the  boundless  prairie  of  the  "  fir  westi "    ,    • 

The  prairies  hare  often  beoa  (^mpared,  most  Justly, 

to  the  ocean.    There  is  the  same  wide  circle  of  space 

bounded  on  all  sides  by  the  horizon ;  there  is  the  sami^ 

swell,  or  undulation,  or  6uc<^8sion  of  long  low  uubirok^ 

waves  that  marks  the  ocean  when  it  is  calm;  tliey  are 

canopied  by  the  jsame  pure  sky,  mid  swept  by  tiie  saint  < 

untrammelled  breezes.   There  aie  idands,  UiQr^tiliaia^ 

of  trees  and .  willow-budies,— JHrhich  '  rise  gqt  of  Ihfe, 

grassy  ocean  to  break  and  relieve  its  uniformity;  and 


l^mYary  va oze a^ munbiQro asdp ihe iaie»  d^ .fficean 


«      :.   :-f'  ~ 


^f^KBr^  ' 


"Tt 


■■K: 


nomris  sioiir. 


76 


-being  nwnwow  in  some  phoei^  whOa  in  othert  flwy 

are  w  Bcaroe  that  the  t«ireUer  doe.  not  meet  one  in  m 

ioug  ^ay»s  jonmey.     Thousand*,  of  beautifol  flowe« 

decked  the  green  sward,  and  mimbew  of  Uttle  binJa 

,     bopped  about  among  them.  ' 

"Now,  lads,"  said  Joe,  Blunt,  reining  up,  "ourtwu. 
bles  begin  to  day." 

"OurtroublesI  our  joys,  you  mean  P  exclaimed  Die^ 
Varley. 

>'B'»ps  I  don't  mean  nothin'  o'  the  sort,"  retorted 

*»e..  '•Man  wos  never  intended  to  swaller  his  joys 

without  a  strong  mixtur"  o'  troubles.  J  'gpose  he  couldn't 

•tend  'em  pure.     Ye  see  we've  got  to  the  prairie 

.    nowrr^"    ^    ,  J      ■ 

"One  blind  ho*i might  see  dat I"  interrupted  Henri.  ' 

«An'  we  may  or  may  not  diflkiver  buffalo.  An?  water's 

scarce,  too,  so  we'll  need  to'  lopk  out  ibr  it  pretty  fham 

I  guess,  else  we'll  lose  our  horses,  inwhich  case  we  may 

m  weU  gtTB  out„  at  once,  ^sidea,  there's  rattlesmikea 

•bout  to  sandy  places-^l  ha' to  look  out  .for  themr 
•n'theireVbi^ger.holeii^We'Uneedto  lool  sharp  for 
^miim  Itht  bows  put  Aeir  feit  in  W  J  an'  there'ii 
Inians,  wlwH  ip<A  out  pretty  sharpfor  «s  ii"  they  onee 
09^  Wl&4  thfH  we^ln  them  parts." 

J^^?^^^^  '^""^'^  "»^  -"^  to,dei>  and 


wa» 


'^, 


ahead  of  tbei|u  ,, 


^      ! 


'^A 


'    •) 


it- 


■,»'»> 


:*y 


=iSb 


.  ■«» 


76 


THE  FKAIBIE-DOQS. 


"It'll be  rain,"  remarked  Joe, " but  there's  no  thunder 
in  the  air  jist  now ;  well  make  for  yonder  clump  p' 
bushes  and  lay  by  till  if  s  past"  %        *  \ 

Turning  a  little  to  the  right  of  the  cou^e  they  had 
been  following,  the  hunters  galloped  along  one  of  the 
hollows  between  the  prairie  waves  before  mentioned, 
in  the  direction  of  a  clump  of  willows.     Beforoi  reach- 
ing it,  however,  they  passed  over  a  bleak  and  barren 
plain  where  there  \fas  neither  flower  nor  bird.    Sere 
they  were  suddenly  arrested  by  a  most  extraordinary 
sight — at  least  it  was  so  to  Did  Varley,  who  had  never 
seen  the  like  before.    This  was  a  colony  of  what  Joe 
called  «  prairie-dogs."    On  first  beholding  them  Crusoe 
uttered  a  sort  of  half  growl,  half  bark  of  surprise,  cpckedj 
his  tail  «nd  ears,  and  instantly  prepared  to  charge,  butP 
he  glanced  up  at  his  master  first  for  permission.   Obser% 
ing  that  his  finger  and  his  look  commanded  "silence^* 
he  dropped  his  tail  at  one*  and  stepped  to  the  rear.    He 
did  not,  however,  cease  l[|,regard  the  prairie-dogs  with.' 
intense  curiosity.  ^ 

'  These  remarkable  little  cultures  have  been  egre- 
glpusly^misnamed  by  the  hunters  of  the  west^  for  they 
bear  not  the  slightest  resemblance  to  dogs,  eith«J>in  forma- 
tion 6r  habits.  They  are,  in  fact,  the  manhot,  an^  in 
size  are  little  larger  than, squiprels,. which  animals  they 
resenjbla  in  some  degreia.'  Thiegr  burrow  nn'^e''  fjtfl'ght 
soil  and  throw  it  up  in  mounds  like  molea. 


:.'5 


♦  •' 


J'. 


tN, 


%-. 


•A, 


>'t 


[■>><• 


,U 


THE  PBAfftlE-DOGS. 


77 


[3  they 


Thousands  of  them  were  running  about  "kntong  their 
dwellings  wlpp  Dick  first  beheld  them,  but  the  moment 
they  caught  sig^  of  the  horsemen  rising  over  the  ridge, 
they  set  up  a  tremendous  hubbub  of  consternation ;  each 
little  beast  instantly  mounted  gu^rd  on  the  top  of  hig 
house,  and  prepared,  as  it  were,  « to  receive  cavalry." 

The  most  ludicr<»s  thing  about  them  was,  that  al- 
though the  most  timid  and  cowardly  creatures  in  the 
world,  they  seemed  the  most  impertinent  things  that 
ever  Uved  I    Knowing  that  their  holes  afforded  them  a 
perfecdy  safe  retreat  they  sat  close  beside  them,  and  as 
the  hunters    slowly  approached,  they  elevated  fceb 
.  heads,  wagged  their  little  tails,  showed  their  teeth,  and 
^chattered  at  them  like  mwkeys.    The  nearer  they 
•^came  the  more  angry  and  furious  did  the  prairie-dogs 
become,  until  fjick  Variey  almost  fell  off  big  horse  with 
suppressed  laughter.    They  let  the  hunters  come  close 
u^,  waxing  louder  and  louder  in  th^r  wrath;  but  the 
instant  a  hand  was  raised  to  throw  a  stone  of  point  a 
gun,  a  thousahd  little  heads  di||^  iato  a  thousand  Wes, 
and  a  thousand  little  tails  wjigf^Ied  for  an  igstdnt  in 
the  air— -then,  a  dead  silence  reagned  over  the  deserted 

scene.       "    *  -» 

.   \       . .,  ,    ,  ,  ^.,-  ■ 

,:        « Bien,  them's;liave  dive  into  de  bo'-els  of  de  eart'i " 
•  /auM  Henri  with  a  broad  grin.         .'  tf  '        > 


M 


T^fesently  a  thousand  noses  apneared,  arid  nervoufilT 
^  disappeflwd  like  the  wink  o^Ah  «jre.    Then  they  ap-        V^^* 


»      .'"f 
4 


t^K. 


*-Trv; 


B. 


78 


.THE  I^AIBIE-DOGB. 


peared  again,  and  a  thoasand'  pair  of  eyes  followed. 
Instantly,  like  Jack  in  the  box,  they  were  all  on  the  top 
of  their  hillocks  f^in,  chattering  "and  wagging  their 
little  tails  as  vigorously  as  .ever.  You  could  not  i?aj 
that  you  saw  them  jump  out  of  their  hdes.  Sudde(ialy> 
as  if  by  magic,  they  were  out;  then  Dick  tossed  up 
his  arms,  and,  suddenly,  as  jf  by  magic,  they  were 
gone! 

Their  number  was  incredible,  and  their  cities  were 
,full  of  riotovui  activity.  What  their  occupations  were 
the  hunters  could  not  ascertain,  but  it  was  perfectly 
evident  that  they  visited  a  great  deal  and  gossipped 
tremendously,  for  they  ran  about  from  house  to  house, 
and  sat  chatting  in  groups;  but  it  was  also  observed 
that  they  never  went  far  from  their  own  houses.  Eacif 
seemed  to  have  a  circle  of  acquaintance  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood  of  his  own  resTdence,  to  which  in  case  of 
sudden  danger  he  always  fled. 

But  another  thing  about  these  prairie-dogs  (perhaps, 
considering  their  size,  we  should  call  them  prairie- 
.doggies),  another  thing  about  them,  we  say,  was  that 
each  doggie  lived  with  an  owl,  or,  more  correctly,  an 
owl  lived  with  each  doggie  I  'i;iiis  is  such  an  extraor- 
dinary yiic^,  that  we  could  scarce  hope  that  men  would 
believe  us,  were  our  statement  not  supported  by  dozens 


swprthy  travellers,  who  have  vi8itid~anTwntten 
about  these  irtftnn     Thr  whole  plain  was  covered  with 


ui'^tf^teit-Ktkn  -.  , 


si%ifAilA,J.iS,i^tf&iiM 


■SA-ys:,**-  rk.ifiii 


t        3t*  V^ 


ft   \0''J- 


%S:f-t'<:/M 


^ 


'  \  3^^  ^ 


P^S^'^fi^^'' ' 


#,•-       .,^;'"/»- 


bllowed. 

the  top 

ig  their 

not  ^j 

3sed  up 
y  were 


M."^ 


-!r- 


\- 


%!■ 


jr 


■■>  f\ 


es  were 
Q8  were 
erfectly 
issipped 
>  house, 
bserved 
Eachr 
nediate 
case(^ 

erhaps, 
jrairie- 
as  that 
Jtly,  an 
xtraor- 
would 
dozens  ^ 
ivritten 
>d  with 


r 

I*   ■ 
"  / 


-♦»'"» 


'^  '''    J 


', '^i'-*- 


.0-- 


% 


-f 


~"7?- 


'^  V'* 


M9l 


.,ii;^-f..i 


i*».. 


> 


^^•■Ju.-«  ^t 


disi. 


•■>■;■     -|  . 


I  V',- 


-•t 


:. ''if-"' 


.  V 


^ 


"•^i 


THE  PBAIBIE-DOGS. 


79 


the^owls.  ^ach  hole  seemed  to  be  the  residence  of 
an  owl  and  tf  doggie,  and  these  incongruous  couples 
lived  together  apparently  in  perfect  harmony. 

We  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  from  travellers 
^hy  the  owls  have  gone  to  live  with  these  doggies,  so 
we  beg  humbly  to  offer  our  own  private  opiiiion  to  thi. 
reader.     We  assume,  then,  that  owls  m  it  absoltffely 
needftl  to  have  holes.  .  Probably  prairie^wla  cannot 
dag  holes  for  themselves.     Having  discovered,  however, 
a  race  qf  Uttle  creatures  that  could,'  they  very  likely  de- 
termmed  to  take  forcible  possession  of  the  holes  .made 
M  thenu    Finding,  no  doubt,  thaf  when  they  did  so, 
the  doggies  were  too  timid  to  object,  an^  discovering' 
moreover,  that  they  were  sweet,  innocent  HtUe  crea- 
tures,  the  owls  resolved  to  take  them  into  partnership, 
and  so  thr thing  was  settled-thafs  |Uw  it  came  about, 
no  doubt  of  it!  ,  • 

r  There  is  a  report  that  rattlesnakes  live  in  these  holes 
abo!  but  we  cannot  certify  our  reader  of  the  ^th  of 
,  thi8,-,«in  it  is  weU^to  be  acquainted  with  a  repoii  that 
w  ctocnt  among  the  men  of  the  backwoods.  If  it  bq 
true,  we  are  of  opinion  that  the  doggie's  family  is  th*  ■ 
"»'»*  mi*^l»ureou8  and  jemaAable  «-  ♦i'->  ^--   " 


or,  09  Hpnri  spid,in  the  bo'^ls  of  —  the  earth, 
jgiok  and  his  friends  were  so  dee^y  absorbed 


U 


>-  ile  crig^Qre^lhat  they'^icr  hot 

olteerve  the  rapid  spread  of  the  blapk  clouds  mx  th^ 


"M 


t  " 


k-       •    '^1 


'^\ 


aO        CEirSOB  C0NTBIBIITB8  O^WABDS  SI^^B.  /' 


sky.  A  few  heavy  di-ops  of  rain  now  warned  Ihtoi^  to 
seek  shelter,  so  wheeling  round  they  dashedwff  at  speed 
for  the  clump  of  wiUows,  which  they  gamed  just  ^B  the 
rain  hegan  to  descend  in  tcwtients.     -  ^ 

"Now,  lads,  do  it  slick.  Off  packs  anfl  saddles," 
cried  Joe  Blunt,  jumping  from  his  h|^e.  « I'll  make  a 
hm  for  ye,  right  off."    "  %      * 

"A  hut,  Joe,  what  sort  a'  hut  can  ye  make  here?" 
inquired  Dick. 

«  Ye'll  see,  boy,  in  a  minute." 

«Ach!  lend  me  a  hand  her^  Dick;  de  bockle  am 
tight  as  de  hosse's  own  skin.  ^  Ah  I  dere  aU  right." 

•HaUoI  what's  this?"  exdaimed  Dick,  as  Crusoe 
advanced  with  something  in  his  mouth.  « I  declare,  it's 
a  bird  o'  some  sort." 

«A  pjairie-hen,"  remarked  Joe,  as  Crusoe  laid  the 
bird  at  Dick's  feet;  «  capital  for  supper." 

« Ah  I  Dat  chien  id  superb  1  goot  dog.  Come  here,  I 
▼ill  clap  you."  •  ^ 

But  Crusoe  refused  to  b§  caressed.  MeanwhUe,  Joe 
and  Dick  formed  a  &ort  of  bee-hive  looking  hut  by 
bendmg  down  the  stems  of  a  tall  bush  and  thrusting 
their  points  into  the  ground.  Over  this  they  threw  the 
laiigest  buffalo  robe,  and  placed  another.on  the  ground 
below  it,  on  which  they  kid  theif  packs  of  goods.  These 
thqy  further  secured  against  wet  by  placing  Bev«rql 


robes  over  them  and  a  skin  of  parchment.    Then  they 


y  ' 


DBEABT  ^BOSPEOTS. 


81 


»t  down  on  this  pa4  to  rest  and  consider  what,  should 
be  done  next.  "  .     » 

" '  Tis  a  bad  look-oat,"  said  Joe,  shaking  his  head. 

J       "I  fear  it  i9/''repHed^Dick  in  a  melancholy  tone.      ' 
Benri  said  nothing,  but  he  sighed  deeply  on  looking 

^  UD  at  the  sky,  which  was  now  of  a  uniform  watery  grey, 
^ile  black  clouds  drove  athwart  it.  °The  rain^was 
pburing  in  torfeats,  and  the  wiqi  began  to  swe^p  it  in 
broad  sheets  over  the  plaiQa,  and  under  their  sUght 
<5overing,  so  that  in  a  short  tii^e  tfiey  We  wet  ti  the 
skin.  The  iiprses  stood  meekly  besid^  them,  with 
their  tails  and  heads  equally  pendulous,  and  Cruso/sat 
before  his  master,  looking  at  him  with  an  exprLon 
that  seemed  to  saV,  «  Couldn't  you  put  a  stop  to  this  if 

.  you  were  to  try  ? "  /  ;/     , 

"This  '11  never  do.  Til  try  to  git  up  a  Bre,"  said 
Dick,  jumping  up  in  desperation. 

«Ye  may^ave  yerself  the  trouble,"  remaiied  Joe, 
drily —  at  least  as  drily  as  was  possible  under  the  cir-' 
cumstances. 

However,  Dick  did  try,  but  he  failed  signally.  Every- 
thing  was  soaked  and,  saturated.  There  were  no  large 
trees ;  most  of  the  bushes  were  green,  and  the  dead  ones 
were  soaked.  The  coverings  w€re  slobbery;  the  skms 
they|sat  on  wero  slobbery;  theearth  itselfwas  alohlw.^. 


to  liick  thie^his  blanket  (which  was  also  stoS^ 
rounji  his  shoulders,  and  sat  down  beside  his  compaii- 


V 


'■f'' 


82       % 


A  DISHAI.   iflOBT. 


■c 


1/ 


ions  to  grin  and*  bear  it  As  for  Joe  and  Henri,  they 
were  old  hands,  and  accustomed  to  Bbch  circumstances. 
From  the  first  they  had  resigned  themselves  to  their 
fete,  and  wrapping  their  wet  blankets  round  them  sat 
down,  side  by  side,  wisdy  to  endure  the  evils  that  they 
could  not  cure.    • 

There  is  an  old  rhyme,  l^y  whom  composed  we  know 
not — and  il^atters  Uttle  —  which  runs  ttus 

/  ^ 

"  For  every  eyil/tader  the  sun 
There  is  a  remedyV- or  there's  none. 
Ifthereis  — trAandfindit ;  *- 

If  there  isn't  — yever  mind  it ! " '  " 

There^is  deep  vriedDm\.^here  in  smair  compass.  The 
principle  involved  deserves  to  be  heartily  redon^ended. 
Dick  never  heard  of  the  iRes,  but  he  knew  the  ][srinciple 
.  well;  so  he  beg^ .'to  « n^ver  mind  it,"  by  sitting  down 
beside  his  comptoions  and  wbiiStKBg  vociferously.  Ab 
the  wind  rendeired  this  a  diflScult  feat  he  too^  lip  singing 
instead.  After  that  he  said,  «  Let's  $At  &  bite,  J^  and 
then  go  to  bed."  •  - 

'Be  all  mwns,"  said  Joe,  who  produced  a  mass  of 
1  deer's  hieat  from  a  wallet. 
« It's  cold  grub,"  said  Dkk,  «  mad  tough." 
But  the  hunters'  teeth  were  sharp  and  strong  so 
they  ate  a  hearty  supper  and  washed  it  down  with  a 
jjifrfc  of  «ip  wter  collected  from  a  pool  mi  tjia 


♦oppf 


their  hi^    They  now  tried  to  sleep,  &r  the  oi^  was 


'C 


vand 


A  DISMAL  NIGHT. 


88 


advancing,  and  it  was  so  dark  that  they  could  scarce 
see  their  hands  when  held  up  before  thi?ir  faces.    They 
sat  back  to  back,  and  thus,  in  the  form  of  a  tripod, 
began  to  snooze.    Joe's  and  Henri's-  seasoned  frames 
would  have  remained  stiff  as  posts  tiU  morning;  but 
Dick's  body  was  young  and  pliant,  so  he  hadn't  been 
asleep  a  few  seconds  when  he  feU  forward  into  themtid 
and  effectually  awakened  the  others.    Joe  gave  a  grunt, 
and  Henri  exclaimed,  «  Hah  I "  but  Dick  was  too  sleepy 
and  miserable  to  say  aiiy  thing.     Crusoe,  however,  rose 
up  te'show  his  sympathy,  and  laid  his  wet  head  on  his 
master's  knee  as  he  resumed  his  place.    This  catastrophe 
happened  three  times  in  the  space  of  to  hour,  and  by 
the  third  time  they  were  aUaw^ened  up  so  thoroughly, 
that  they  gave  np  the  attei^to  sleep,  and  amused 
each  6ther  by  recouiiting  |heir  hilating  experiences  and 
tellmg  stories.     So  engro8sed*did  tii^y  become  that  day 
broke  sooner  than  they^jhad  expected  — and,  just  in  \ 
proportion  as  the  grey  Ughtof  dawn'  rqse  higher  into    ' 
the  eastern  sky,  did  the  spiritlof  these  w^y  men  rise 
within  their  soaking  bodies. 


'■  J- 


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V 


THINGS  mPBOTB, 


:>'  ^ 


^    V  CHAPTER  VII. 

Hu«  «d ...  »«,„..^  _  o„^  „„„  ^^,  _       « 

•  FoBTnwTELT  the  day  thai  .ucceedrf  the  ire^ 
»«ht  aeseribed  in  the.Iast  chapter  ™  w,™  .„a ^^.j. . 
tcent    The  «„„  rosein  a  blare  of  splendor  and  fflled 
the  atmosphere  with  sWn  from  the  moist  earth. 

The  unfortunates  in/the  «t  camp  were  not  slow  to 
ava,!  themselves  of  kfs  cheering  „ys.    They  hung  up 
.ve.7thmg0n.he  bLhes  ,0  d,7,and  bydint  of  eztle 
pahence  jmd  cutting^  ,he  compa^lively  dr,  hear,, 
of  seveml  p,eces  of  wood,  they  hghted  a  Are  and  boUed 
some  z^n  water,  which  was  soon  converted  into  soup. 
Th,s,  ^d  the  exercise  necessary  for  the  performance  of 
these  several  dude,,  warmed  and  partlaUy  dried  them,  • 
» that  when  they  once  more  mounted  their  steeds  and 
r^e  away  they  were  in  a  swe  of  comparaUve  eimfor. 

ctuds'T'"^''"'''     "■•  "-"^  "'""^'^■^  -»  «■« 
*t  °'""^"°«  ""I  '"■S-'Ues  thatas^iledme. 


whenever  *^^ecSa=their  j|eed. 


I 


-v^^ii 


BUFFALOES.  gg 

«I  teU  ye  wol  i.  «,"  «,M  Joe  Bl„„^  „„,  &,,  „„„. 
»g  .bo„    a  week  after  .hey  ife  t,,„„  .„  ^^  ,;^ 
prame,  "it's  my  Wnion  '■   ■ -^ 
«»"•    Them  te„,b  are  frelSn;  y„„der^  „„»<,•  «,,(, 
walle«thafabi„„sednotlo4ago„e" 

Eve,y  thing  !u  these  va.t  priHe.  ^a,  new  to  Dick 
Varley,  a„dl,e  wa,  kept  i„  a  constant  .tate  of  excite- 
-ent  during  th,^  a„,  ^^^  „,  ,„„  „,  ^.^ 

^^e  he  wns  ,„ite  famUiar  with  the  names  and  hahits 
of  an  theanunals  that  dwelt  thene,  for  many  a  time 
.n^  oft  had  he  Ustened  to  the  "yarns"  of  the  hunter, 
aaiuappe^o  u.e  Mustang  VaUey,  when  they  ..turned 
Wen  w.th  „ch  furs  f..m  their  periodical  hunting  e.- 
V^ons.  But  this  knowledge  of  his  only  serv^  u> 
whet  h«  cunosity  and  his  desire  to  «e  the  denizen,  of 
thep^nes^ith  his  own  eyes,  and  now  that  his  wish 

h™r"'^'^"'''"--^r*»^'--»r 

Jof  ™  "  'T  "°°''°''  ""=  """'»<'  ^'^'^  to  by    ' 

Wely,  when  a  fain,  hissing  sound  reached  his.e«..      , 
I«*'"g  qmekly  b«k  he  observed  his  two  companion, 

~Tf7         :  hoHo,  of  thcT^irT, in  ftonToFfc: 
■"  "  '^''  "-*^''  '"  "^8  tho  risiBg  g«und  between 

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86 


BUFFALOES. 


them  and  some  object  in  advance.  Dick  instantl;^ 
followed  their  example  and  was  iwn  at  their  heels.         ' 

"Ye  needn't  look  at  the  walleiV  whispered  Joe, 
«  for  a'  tother  side  o'  the  ridge  there's  a  bull  weOerih.'* 

«Te  don't  mean  it!"  exclaimed  Di<J^  as  they  all 
dismounted  and  picketted  their  horses  to  the  plain. 

"Oui,"  said  Henri,  tumbling  off  his  horse,  whfle  a 
broad  grin  overspread  his  good-natured  countenance; 
"it  is  one  fact  I  One  buffalo  bull  be  wollerin'  like  a 
enormerous  hog.  Also,  dere  be  t'ousands  o'  buffaloes 
farder  on."  » 

«  Can  ye  trust  yer  dog  keepin'  back  ?  "inquired  Joe, 
with  a  dubious  glance  at  Crusoe. 

"Trust  him!  Ayf  I  ^wish  I  was  as  sure  o'  my- 
self." 

«  Look  to  your  primin',  then,  an'  weTl  have  tongues 
and  marrow  bones  for  supper  to-night,  Tse  warrant. 
Hist!  down  on  yer  knees,  and  go  softly*  We  might 
ha'  run  them  down  on  horseback,  but  it's  bad  to  wind 
yer  beasts  on  a  trip  like  this,  if  ye  can  help  it;  an*  it's 
about  as  easy  to  stalk  them.  Least  ways,  we'll  try. 
Lift  yer  head  slowly,  Dick,  an'  dot't  show  more  nor  the 
half  o't  above  the  ridge."  ;.' 

Dick  elevated  his  head  as  directed,  and  the  scene 
that  met  his  view  was  indeed  well  calculated  to  send 

JP jjggtrie  «hOCk  to  the  t^^  apftrfammn. 


--% 


The  vast  plain  beyond  was  abflolutely  blaekened  with 


,.«8^ 


BUFFAItOSS. 


$7 


rJ  if. 


-% 


countless/  herds  of  biiffal(wsy  which  were  browsing  on 
4he  fich/ grass.  Th9y  were  still  so  far  distant  that 
their  bellowing,  and  the  trampling  of  their  myriad 
hoofs,  only  reached  the  hunters  Uke  a  faint  murmur  on 
th^  breeze.  In^^_  immediate  foreground,  however, 
there  was  a  groupof  about  half-a-dozen  buffido-oows 
feeding  Iquietly,  and  in  the  midst  of  them  an  enormous 
old  bull  was  enjoying  himself  in'  his  wfdlow.  The 
animals,!  toward  which  our  hunters  now  crept  with 
murderdus  intent,  are  the  fiercest  and  the  most  pon- 
derous of  the  ruminating  inhabitants  of  tlio  western 
wilderness.  The  name  of  iu^fo/b,  however,  is  not  cor- 
rect. The  animal  is  the  Usouy  and  bears  no  resemblance 
whatever  to  the  bufiklo  proper ;  but  as  the  hunters  of 
the  far-west — and,  indeed,  travellers  generally,  have 
adopted  the  misnomer,  we  bow  to  the  authority  of 
custom  and  adopt  it  too. 

Buffiiloes  roam :  in  countless  thousands  all  over  the 
North  American  prairies,  from  the  Hudson's  Bay  ter- 
ritories, north  of  Canada,  to  the  shores  of  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico. 

The  advance  of  white  men  to  the  west  has  driven 
them  to  the  pnuries  between  the  Missouri  and  the 
Bocky  Mountains,  and  has  somewhat  diminished  their 
numbers;  but  even  thus  diminished,  they  are  still  in- 
numerable  in  the  more  ^istSjnt-jJak 


.Sb^ 


«= 


M 


daik  brown,  but  it  varies  a  good  deal  with  the  seasons. 


88 


BUFFALOES. 


The  hair  or  fur,  from  its  great  length  in  winter  and 
spring,  and  exposure  to  the  weather,  turns  quite  light; 
but  when  the  winter  coat  is  shed  off;  the  new  growth  is 
rf  beautiful  dark  brown,' almost  approaching  to  jet  black. 
In  form  the  buffalo  somewhat  resembles  the  ox,  but  its 
head  and  shoulders  are  much  larger,  and  are  covered 
with  a  profusion  of   long   shaggy  hah-,  which  adds 
greatlj  to  the  fierce  aspect  of  the  animal.     It  has  a 
large  hump  on  the  shoulder,  and  its  fore  quarters  are 
much  larger,  m  proportion,  than  the  hind  quarters. 
The  horns  are  short  and  thick;  the  hoofs  are  cloven,, 
and  the  tail  is  short,  with  a  tuft  of  hair  at  the  extrem- 
ity. 

It  is  scarcely  possible  to  conceive  a  wilder^^nore 
ferocious  and  terrible  monster  than  a  buflfal»«B|r  He 
ofteft  grows  to  the  enormous  weight  of  tw6  thousand 
pounds.    His  lion-like  mane  falls  in  shaggy  confusicm 
quite  over  his  head  and  shoulders,  down  to  the  ground. 
When  he  is  wounded  he  becomes  imbued  with  the 
spirit  of  a  tiger;  he  stamps,  bellows,  roars,  and  foams 
forth  his  rage  with  glaribg  eyes  and  steaming  nostrils; 
and  charges  furiously  at  man  and  horse  with  utter  reck- 
lessness.    Fortunately,  however,  he  is  not  naturally 
pugnacious,  and  can  be  easily  throw^  into  a  sudden 
panic.    Moreover,  the  peculiar  position  of  his  eye  ren- 
ders  this  creature  not  so  terrible  as  he  would  otherwise 


be  to  the  hunter.    Owing  to  the  stiff"  structure  of  the 


BUTFALO  WAI,L0W8. 


89 


neck,  and  the  sdnken,  downward-looking  eyebaU,  the 
buffalo  cannot,  withoutan  effort,  see  beyond  the  direct 
Kne  of  vision  presented  to  the  habitual  carriage  of  his 
head.    When,  therefore,  he  is  wounded,  and  charges, 
he  does  so  in  a  straight  line,  so  that  his  pursuer  can 
leap  easily  out  of  his  way.    The  pace  of  the  buffalefs 
clun^sy,  and  apparently  slow,  yet,  when  chased,  he 
da^es,«way  over  the  plains  in  blind  blundering  terror, 
.    at  a  rate  that  leaves  all  but  good  horses  far  behind. 
He  cannot  keep  th^^ace  up,  however,  and  is  usually 
V  soon  overtaken.    Were  the  buffalo  capable  of  the  same 
alert  and  agil^motions  of  hea«  and  eye  peculiar  to  the 
deer  or  wild-horse,  in  addition '  to  his  «  bovine  rage,"  he 
'ft-,  would  be  the  mc^st  formidable,  brute  on  earth.    There  is 
no  object,  perhaps,  so  terrible  as  the  headlong  advance 
of  a  herd  of  these  animals  when  thoroughly  aroused  by 
terror.    They  care  not  for  their  nfcks.    AU  danger  in 
front  is  forgotten,  or  not  seen,  in  the  terror  of  that  from 
which  they  fly.    No  thundering  cataract  is  more  tre- 
mendously irresistible  than  the  black  bellowing  torrent 
which  sometimes  pour  through  the  narrow  defiles  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  or  sweeps  like,  a  roaring  flood  over 
the  trembling  plains. 

The  wallowing,  to  which  we  have  referred,  is  a  lux- 
ury usually  indulged  in  during  the  hot  months  of  sum- 
-  mer^wn^  th^^  o^^oes  are  tormented  1^  ffie^aniT^^ 
heat,  and  drought    At  this  seasoa  they  seek  the  Jow 
'  8* 


m 


90 


BUFFALO   SHOOTlNa." 


groiifiSs  in  the  prairies  where  there,  is  a  little  stagnant 
water  lying  amongst  the  grass,  and  the  ground  und.  - 
neath,  being  saturated,  is  soft.  The  leader  of  the  hero, 
a  shaggy  old  bull,  usually  take  upon  himself  to  prepare 
the  wallow. 

It  vr&a  a  rugged  monster  of  the  largest  size  that  did 
so  on  the  present  occasion,  to  the  intense  delight  of 
Dick  Varley,  who  begged  Joe  toi  lie  still  and  watch  the 
operation  before  trying  to  shoot  one  of  the  buffalo- 
cows.  ,  Joe  consented  with  a  nod,  and  the'iiHfir  spec- 
tators—  for  Crusoe  was  as  much  taken  up  (With  the 
proceedings  as  any  of  them — ^^  crouched  in  the  grass, 
fuid  looked  on. 

Coming,  up  to  the  sWampy  spot  the  old  bull  gave  a 
grunt  of  satisfaction,  and,  going  do\Kn  on  one  knee, 
plunged  his  ^§hort  thick  horns  into  the  mud,  tore  it  up, 
and  cast  it  aside.  Having  repealed  this  several  times, 
he  plunged  his  head  in,  and  brought  it  forth  saturated 
with  dirty  water,  and  bedaubed  with  lumps  of  mud, 
through  which  his  fierce  eyes  gazed,  with  a  ludicrous 
expression  of  astonishment,  sti;tiight  in  the  direction  of 
the  hunters,  as  if  he  mehnt  to  say,  "I've  done  it  that 
time,  and  no  mistake]"  The  other  buffaloes  seemed  to 
think  so  too,  for  they  came  up  and  looked  on  with  an 
expression  that  seemed  to  say,  "  Well  done,  old  fellow ; 
try  that  again !"  


The  old  fellow  did  try  it  again,  and  again,  and  again, 


at:. 


BUFFALO   SHOOTING. 


91 


plunging,  andijmiming,  and  tearing  up  the  eartl^  ual^l 
he  forced  an  eWation  large  enough  to  contain  hia 
huge  body.  In  this  bath  he  laid  himself  coinfortablj 
down,  and  began  to  roU  and  waUow  about  until  he 
mixed  up  a  trough  fuU  of  thin  soft  mud,  which  com- 
pletely  covered  him.  When  he  came  out  of  the  hole 
there  was  scarcely  an  atom  of  hia  former  s^f  visible  I 

The  coat  of  mud  thus  put  on  by  bulls  is  usually  per- 
mitted  by  them  to  dry,  and  is  not  finally  got  rid  of  until 
long  after,  when  oft-repeated  rollings  on  the  grass  and 
washings  by  rain  at  length  clears  it  away. 

When  the  old  bull  yacated  this  delectable  bath, 
another  bull,  scarcely  if  at  all  less  ferocious  looking, 
stepped  forward  to  take  his  turn,  but  he  was  inter- 
rupted by  a  volley  from  the  hunters,  which  scattered 
the  animals  right  and  left,  and  sent  the  mighty  herda 
in  the  distance  flying  over  the  prairie  in  wild  terror. 
The  very  turmoil  of  their  own  mad  flight  added  to  their 
panic,  and  the  continuous  thunder  of  their  hoofs  was 
heard  until  the  last  of  them  disappeared  on  ^e  horizon. 
The  family  party  which  had  been  fired  at,  however,  did 
not  escape  so  well.    Joe's  rifle  wounded  a  fat  young 
cow,  and  Dick  Variey  brought  it  down.     Henri  had 
done  his  best,  but,  as  the  animals  were  too  far  distant 
for  his  Umited  vision,  he  missed  the  cow  he  fired  at  and 
liit  the  ywfflgiult  whose  bath  had  beeff  tntefrnpt^— 
The  others  scattered  and  fled. 


■s 


'.V^I^aP 


92 


dick's  adventtthe  with  the  bull. 


"Well  tl0ne,, Dick,"  exclaimed  Joe  Blunt,  aa  they  all 
ran  up  to  the  cow  thatiiad  fallen.  ?*  Your  first  shot  at 
the  buffalo  was  a  good  un.  Come  now  an'  111  show  ye 
how  to  cut  it  up  an'  carry  off  the  tit  bit." 

"  Ah !  moh  dear  qle  bull,"  exclaimed  Henri,  gazing 
after  the  animal  which  he  had  wounded,  and  which  was 
now  limping  slowly  away.  "  You  is  not  worth  goin* 
after.    Farewell,  —  adieu."  i ,.  ' 

"He'll  be  tough  enough,  I  warrant,"  said  Jod,  "an* 
we've  more  meat  here  nor  we  can  lift."  I        / 

"  But  wouldn't  it  be  as  well  to  put  the  poor  brufe 
out  o' pain,"  suggested  Dick.  \,  I 

"  Oh,  he'll  die  soon  enough,"  replied  Joe,  tucking  up 
his  sleeves  and  drawing  his  long  hunting  knife.         , 

Dick,  however,  was  not  satisfied  with  this  way  of 
looking  at  it.     Saying  that  he  would  be  back  in  a  few , 
minutes  he  re-loaded  his  rifle,  and  calling  Cm&xs  to  his 
side,  walked  quickly  after  the  wounded  bull,  which  was 
now  hid  from  view  in  a  hollow  of  the  plain. 

In  a  few  minutes  he  came  in  sight  of  it,  and  ^an  for- 
ward with  his  rifle  in  readiness.  , 

"Down,  Crusoe,"  he  whispered,  "wau /for  me 
here."  / 

Crusoe  crouched  in  the  grass  instantly,  imd  Dick 
advanced.    As  he  came  on,  the  bull  observe^  him,  and 
"tnmed=  romid'IbeUowing  with  rage  and:  paigfoTeceive^ 
Yam.    The  aspect  of  the  brute  on  a  near 


KISi, 


dick's  ADVENTURE   WITH   THE   BULL. 


93 


terrible,  that  Dick  involuntarily  stopped  too,  and  gazed 
with  a  mingled  feeling  of  wonder  and  awe,  while  it 
bristled  with  passion^-and  blood-streaked  foam  dropped 
from  its  open  jaws,  and  its  eyes    glared  furiously. 
Seeing  that  Dick  did  not  advance,  the  bull  charged 
him  with  a  terrific  roar;  but  the  youth  had  firm  nerves, 
and  although  the  rush  of  such  a  savage  creature  at  full 
speed  was  calculated  to  try  the  courage  of  any  man, 
especially  one  who  had  never  seen  a  buffalo  bull  before, 
Dick  did  not  lose  presence  of  mind.    He  remembered 
the  many  stories  he  had  listened  to  of  this  very  thing, 
that  was  now  happening,  so,  crushing  down  his  excite- 
ment as  well  as  he  could,  he  cocked  his  rifle,  and 
awaited  the  charge.    He  knew  that  it  was  of  no  use  to 
fire  at  the  head  of  the  advancing  foe,  as  the  thickness  of 
the  skull,  together  with  the  matted  hair  on  the  forehead, 
rendered  it  impervious  to  a  bullet. 

When  the  bull  was  within  a  yard  of  him  he  leaped 
lightly  to  one  side  and  it  passed.  Just  as  it  did  so, 
Dick  aimed  at  its  heart  and  fired,  but  his  knowledge  of 
the  creature's  anatomy  was  not  yet  correct  The  ball 
entered  the  shoulder  too  high,  and  the  bull,  checking 
hhnself  as  well  as  he  could  in  his  headlong  rush,  turned, 
round  and  made  at  Dick  again. 

The  faUure  coupled  with  the  excitement  proved  too 
much  for  Dick;  he  eoul^  ^»ot  r6«8t  discharging  im^ 
second  barrel  at  the  brute's  head  as  it  came  on.    He"^ 


•'^ 


r 


CRtJSOE   TO   TH*   RESCUE. 


might  as  well ^ have  fired  at  a  brick  wall;  it  shook  its 
Qbaggy  iront,  and  with  a  hideous  bellow  thundered 
forward.  Again  Dick  sprang  to  one  side,  but  in  doing 
so  a  tuft  of  gras^  or  a  stone  caught  his  foot,  and  he  fell 
heavily  to  the  ground. 

Up  to  this  point  Crusoe's '  admirable  training  had 
nailed  him  to  the  spot  where  he  had  been  leftj  although 
the  twitching  of  every  fibre  in  his  body  and  a  low  con- 
tinuous whine  showed  how  gladly  he  would  have  hailed 
permission  to  join  in  the  combat;  but  the  instant  he 
saw  his  master  down  and  the  bufialo  turning  to  charge 
again,  he  sprang  forward  with  a  roar  that  would  have 
done  credit  to  his  bovine  enemy,  and  seized  him  by  the 
nose.  So  vigorous  was  the  rush  that  he  wellnigh 
pulled  the  bull  down  on  its  side.  One  toss  of  its  head, 
however,  sent  Crusoe  high  into  the  air,  but  it  accom- 
plished this  feat  at  the  expense  of  its  nose,  which  was 
torn  and  lacerated  by  the  dog's  teeth. 

Scarcely  had  Crusoe  touched  the  around,  which  he 
did  with  a  sounding  thump,  than  he  sprang  up  and 
flew  at  his  adversary  again.  This  time,  however,  he 
adopted  the  plan  of  barking  furiously  and  biting  by 
rapid  yet  terrible  snaps  as  he  found  opportunity,  thus 
keeping  the  bull  entirely  engrossed,  and  a£fording  Dick 
an  opportunity  of  re-loading  his  rifle  which. he  was  not 
slow  to  do.  Dick  then  stepped  close  up,  and,  while 
the  two  combatants  were  roaring  in  each  other's  faces, 


*,..., , 


•n 


•■•^ 


^ 


CRUSOE  TO  g^i:  BB80UB. 


95 


-*w- 


he  shot  the  buffalo  through  thd'lieart.  „€t  fell  to  th^ 
earth  \with  a  deep  groan. 

Crux's  rage  instantly  vanished  on  beholding  this, 
and  he  \8eemed  to  be  filled  with  tumultuous  joy  at  his 
master's  escape,  for   he   gambolled   round   him,  and., 
whined  ^nd  fawned  upon  him  in  a  manner  that  could 
n|»t.be  Wipund^rstood.  j 

"  Good  i  dog ;  thank'ee,  my  pup,"  said  Dick,  patting     . 
Crusoe's  hipad  as  he  stooped  to  brush  the  dust  from  hig 
leggings ;  '^  I  don't  know  what  would  ha'  become  o'  me 
but  for  youi^  help,  Crusoe." 

Crusoe  tiirned  his  ,head  a  little  to  one  side,  wagged 
his  tail,  and  looked  at  Dick  with'^n  expression  that 
said  quite  pla^n^,  « I'd*die  for  you,  I  w6«ld  — not  once,   . 
or  twice,  buttlen  times, 'fifty  ti^ea  if  need  be,— and 
that  not  merel^  to  save  your  life,  but  i&^enta  please^  you."    /• 

There  is  nol  doubt  whatever  that  Crusoe  felt  some- 
thing  of  this  sort.  The  love  of  a  NewfoundMnd  dog  to 
its  master  is  beyond  calculation  or  i^pession.  He  who 
once  gains  such,  love  carries  the  dl^s  life  in  his  hand. 
But  let  him  wh^  reads  note  well,  and  remember,  that 
there  is  only  one  coin  that  can  purchase  such  love,  and 
that  is  kindness;  i^e  coin,  too,  must  be  genuine.  Kind- 
ness merely  expre^ed  will  not  do,  it  must  he  felt. 

"Hallo I  boy,  yeij've  bin  i'  the  wars ! "  exclaimed  Joe, 
raiaing  himself  froift  hia  lask  as  Dick  ^and  Crusoe  rg- 
turned. 


'  >■ 


•4- 


96 


now  TO    CUT   UP   BUFFALO   MEAT 


"  You  look  noore*  like  it  than  I  do,"  retorted  Dick, 
laughing.         _     ^  -  ^         . 

This  was  true,  for  culling  up  a  buffalo  carcase  with 
no  othefr  instrument,  than  a  large  knife  is  no  easy 
matter.  ,Yet  western  hunters  and  Indians  '^can  do  it 
without  cleaver  o^  saw,  in  a  way  that  would  surmpise  a 
ciTiiized  butcher  not  a  little.  Jpe  was  covered  with 
blood  up  to  the  elbows.  His  hair,  happening  .to  have 
^  knack  of  getting  into  his  ejes,  had  beeii  so  oilen 
.tirushed  off  with  bloody  hands,  that  his  whole  visage 
was  speckled  with  gore,  and  his  dress  was  by  no  means 
immaculate. 

While  Dick  related  his  adventure,  or  mis-adventure 
with  the  bull,  Joe  and  Henri  completed  the  cutting 
out  of  the  most  delicate  portions  of  the  buffalo,  namely, 
the  hump  on  its  shoulder  —  which  is  a  choice  piece, 
much  finer  than  the  best  beef —^  and  the  tongue,  and. 
a  few  other  parts.  The  tongued  of  buffaloes  are  supe-  * 
rior  to  those  of  domestic^  cattle.  "When  all  was  ready 
the  meat  was  slung  across  the  back  of  the  pack-horse, 
and  the  party,  remounting  theit  horses,  continued 
their  journey,  having  first  cleansed  themselyes  as  well 
as  they  could  in  the  rather  dirty  waters  of  an  old  wal- 
low. ^  • 

''See,"  said  Henri,  turning  to  Dick  and  pointing  to 
a  circular  spot  of  green  as  they  rode  along,  "  that  is  one 
^H ^ry  wafler."' :        "" " ""  '"'" ^ " " 


/ 


'-  { 


5d  Dick, 

ase  with 
no  easy 
m  do  it 
iTwnBo  a 
ed  with 
-to  have 
so  often 
e  visage 
0  means 

(venture 
cutting 
namely, 
e  piece, 
|ue,  and. 
fe  supe-  * 
IS  ready 
k-hors(9, 
>ntinued 
as  well 
old  wal- 

iting  to 
A  is  one 


h. 


^ 


INDIANS   DISCOVEIIED? 


97 


/'Ay,-  remarked  Joe,  "after   the  waller  dries,  it 
becomes  a.  ring  o'  greener  grass  than  the  rest  a'  the 
plain,  as  ye  see.    Tis  said  tje  S?  hunters  used  to 
won^jec  greatly ^  these  myster'ous  .circles,  and  tfaey 
invented  all  sorts  o' stories  toHiccount  for 'em.    Some 
said  they  wos  fairy-rings,  but  at  last  they  corned  to 
know  they  wos'nothin'' more  nor  less    than  places 
Mrhere   buffaloes  wos  used  to  waller  in.     It's  often 
seemed  to  me  that  if  we  knowed  the  raisoru  d*  things 
we  wouldn't  be  so  much    puzzled  wi'  them  as  we 
are."  'k 

The  truth  of  this  last -Remark  was  so  self^vi- 
dentand  incontrovertible  that  it  elicited  no»  reply,  and 
the  three  friends  rode  on  for  a  considerable  time  in 
silence.  ' 

It  was  BOW  past  noon,  and  they  were^  thinking  of. 
calling  a  halt  for  a  s^ort  rest  to  the  horses  and  a  pipe 
to  themselves,  when  Joe  was  heard  tq  give  vent  to  one 
of  those- peculiar  hisses,  that  always  accomprfnied  either 
a  surprise  or  a  caution.  In  the  present  case  it  indidttted 
both.  --  - 

"What  now,  Joe?"  ''        '      ^ 

,     "Injuns  I  "ejaculated  Joe.      '  .         » 

"Ehl  &t  you  say?  ou  is  de?"     ' 

Crusoe  atr  this  moment  uttere^  a  low  growL    Ever 
since  the  dffjr  he  bad  been  p^iiaUy  toasted  he^  htOr^ 
maintained  a/ rooted 


/ 


n 


atipathy  to  red-men.    Joe- 


UK- 


,r 


■■^ 


M 


•I 


^^ 


98 


INDIANS   DISCOVEBED. 


W 


mediately  dismounted;  and    placing    his  ear    to  the 
px>und  listened  intently.    It  is  a  curious  fact  that  by 
placing  the  ear  close  to  the.  ground  sounds  can   be 
heard  distinctly  which  could  not  be  heard  at  all  if  the^ 
listener  were  to  maintain  an  erect  position. 

"  They're  arter  the  buffalo,"  said  Joe,  rising,  "  an*  I 
think  it's  likely  they're  a  band  o'  Pawnees.  Listen  an' 
ye'll  hear  their  shoutis  quite  plain." 

Dick  and  Henri  immediately  lay  down  and  placed 
their  ears  to  the  ground. 

"Now,  me  hear  noting,"  said  Henri,  jumping  up, 
"  but  me  ear  is  like  me  eyes ;  ver*  short-sighted."      ^ 

"  I  do  hear  something,"  said  Dick,  as  he  got  up,  "  but 
the  beating  o'  my  own  heart  makes  row  enough  to  spoil 
my  hearin'." 

Joe  Blunt  smiled.  "Ah I  lad,  yer  young,  an'  yer 
blood's  too  hot  yet,  but  bide  a  bit;  you'll  cool  down 
soon.  I  wos  like  you  once.  Now,  lads,  what  think  ye 
we  should  do  ?  '* 

"  You  know  best,  Joe." 

«  Oui,  nodoubtedly." 

"  Then  wot  I  advise  is  that  we  gallop  to  the  broken 
sand  hillocks  ye  see  yonder,  get  behind  them  an'  take  a 
peep  at  the  Bed-skins.  If  they  are  Pawnees  we'll  go 
up  to  them  at  once ;  if  not,  we'll  h(c4d  a  council  o'  war 


-<»th»apot^ 


Having  arranged  this  they  mounted  and  hastened 


■  '^ii  "  -  \ 


THE   GREAT  HUNT. 


99 


,.  rr^ 


-  *■• 


r- 


towards  the  hiUocks  in  question,  which  they  reached 
after  ten  ifiinutes'  gaUop,  at  fuU  stretch.    The  sandy 
mound  afforded  them  concealment,  and  enabled  them 
to  watch  the  proceedings  of  the  savages  in  the  plain  ■ 
below.    The  scene  was  the  most  curious  an^  exciting 
that  can  be  conceived..   The  centre jjLthe  plairi  before 
them  was  crowded  with  hundreds^buffaloes,  which 
were  dashing  about  in  the  most  frantic  stdte  of  alarm. 
To  whatever  point  they  gaUoped  they  were  met  by 
yelling  savages  on   horseback,  w^jo  could  not;,  have"^ 
been  fewer  in  numbers  than  a  thousand -^.aU  being 
armed  with  lance,  bow,  and  quiver,  and  mounted  on 
active  little  horses.    The  Indians  had  completely  sur-  . 
rounded  the  herd  of  buffaloes,  and  were  now  advancing 
steadily  towards  them,  gradually  narrowing  the  circle, 
and,  whenever    the  terrified  animals  endeavored    to 
break  through  the  line,  they  rushed  to  that  particular 
spot  in  a  body,  and  scared  them  back  again  into  the 
centre.  .« 

Thus  they  advanced  until/ they  closed  in  on  their 
prey,  and  formed  an  unbroken  circle  round  them,  whilst 
the  poor  brutes  kept  eddying  and  sui^g  to  and  fro 
in  a  confused  mass,  hooking  and  dimbing  upon  each 
other,  and  b<!llqwing  furiously.  Suddenly  the  horse- 
men made  a  rush,  and  the  vrofk  of  destmction  began. 
^The  tremendous  turmoil  ftdsed  a  cloud  of  4ust  thaT" 
obscured  the  field  in  some  places,  and  hid  it  from  our 


100 


THE  OBBAT  HTmT. 


^ 


hanter^s  view.  Some  of  the  Indians  galloped  round 
and  round  the  circle,  tending  their  arrows  whizzing  up 
to  the  feathers  in  the  sides  of  the  fattest  cows.  Othe^ 
dashed  fearlessly  into  the  midst  of  the  black  heaving 
mass,  and,  with  their  long  lances,  pierced  dozens  of 
them  to  the  heart.  In  many  instances  the  buffaloes, 
infuriated  by  wounds,  turned  fiercely  on  their  assailants 
and  gored  the  horses  to  death,  in  which  cases  the  men 

4 

had  to  trust  to  their  nimble  legs  for  safety.  Sometimes 
a  h^rse  got  jammed  in  the  centre  of  the  swaying  mass, 
and  could  neither  advance  nor  retreat  Then  the  sav- 
age rider  leaped  upon  the  buffaloes'  backs,  and  spring- 
ing from  one  to  another,  like  an  acrobat,  gained  the 
outer /edge  of  the  circle,  not  failing,  however,  in  his 
strange  flight,  to  pierce  with  his  lance  several  of  the 
fattest  of  his  stepping-stones  as  he  sped  along. 

A  few  of  the  herd  succeeded  in  escaping  from  the 
blck>d  and  dust  of  this  desperate  battle,  and  made 
off  over  the  plains,  but  they  were  quickly  overtaken, 
and  the  lance  or  arrow  brought  them  down  on  the 
green  turf.  Many  of  the  dismounted  riders  were 
chased  by  bulls,  but  they  stepped  lightly  to  one  side, 
and,  as  the  animals  passed,  drove  their  arrows  deep 
into  their  sides.  Thus  the  tumultuous  war  went 
on,  amid  thundering  tread,  and  yell,  and  bellow,  till 
ifee  green  plaiu  was  trauBformed  Harto  tr  gea^  blood^ 
«ad  miro,  and  every  buffiJo  of  the  herd  was  laid  low* 


4 


THE  HEETHTO. 


lai 


/  J 


It  is  not  to  be  sapposed  that  sach  reckless  warfare 
is  invariablj  waged  without  damage  to  the  savages. 
Many  were  the  wounds  and  bruises  received  that  day, 
and  not  a  few  bones  were  broken,  but  hapj>ily  no  lives 
were  lost 

"Now,  lads,  now's  our  time.  A  bold  and  fearless 
look's  the  best  at  all  times.  Don't  look  as  if  ye  doubted 
their  friendship ;  and  mind,  wot  ever  ye  do,  don't  use 
yer  arms.     Follow  me,"  • 

Saying  this,  Joe  Blunt  leaped  on/^is  horse,  and 
bounding  over  the  ridge  at  full  speed,  galloped  headlong 
across  the  plain.  -^  / 

The  savages  observed  the  stnyigers  instantly,  and  a 
loud  yell  announced  the  fact  as  they  assembled  from 
all  parts  of  the  field  brandishing  their  bows  and  spears. 
Joe's  quick  eye  soon  distinguished  their  chief,  towards 
whom  he  galloped,  still  at  full  speed,  till  within  a  yard 
or  two  of  his  horse's  head ;  then  he  reined  up  suddenly. 
So  rapidly  did  Joe  and  his  comrades  approach,  and  so 
instantaneously  did  they  pull  up,  that  their  steeds  were 
thrown  almost  on  their  haunches. 

The  Indian  chief  did  not  move  a  muscle  He  was 
a  tall  powerful  savage,  almost  naked,  and  mot^ted  on 
a  coal-black  charger,  which  he  sat  with  the  ease  of  a 
man  accustomed  td;  ride  from  infancy.  He  was,  indeed, 
"«^  Bptendid-3o^ing  iivi^BTI^  "HIT  iSc^^ 
frown,  for,  although  he  and  his  band  had  visited  the 


/4 

( 

* 

J 

f.^y'"- 

—  '  ' 

^Sr 

.  N  ■■  'iil 

wB 

102 


JIATTEK8   LOOK   GLOOMY. 


settlements  and  trafficked  with  the  fur  traaers  on  the 
Missouri,  he  did  not  love  the  "Pale-faces,"  whom  he 
regarded  as  intruders  on  the  hunting-grounds  of  his 
fathers,  and  the  peace  that  existed  between  them  at 
that  time  was  of  a  very  fragile  character.  Indeed,  it 
was  deemed  by  the  traders  impossible  to  travel  through 
the  Indian  country  at  that  period  except  in  strong  force, 
and  it  was  the  very  boldness  of  the  present  attempt  that 
secured  to  our  hunters  any  thing  like  a  civil  reception. 

Joe,  who  couW  speak  the  Pawnee  tongue  fluently, 
began  by  expliuning  the  object  of  his  visit,  and  spoke 
of  the  presents  which  he  had  brought  for  the  great 
chief;  but  it  was  evident  that  his  words  made  little 
impression.  As  he  discoursed  to  them  the  savages 
crowded  round  the  little  party,  and  began  to  handle  and 
examine  their  dresses  and  weapons  with  a  degree  of  rude- 
ness that  caused  Joe  considerable  anxiety. 

"  Mahtawa  believes  that  the  heart  of  the  Pale-face  is 
true,"  said  "the  savage,  when  Joe  paused,  "  but  he  does 
not  choose  to  makh  peace.  The  Pale-faces  are  grasping. 
They  never  rest  They  turn  their  eyes  to  the  great 
mountains,  and  say  *  There  we  will  stop.'  But  even 
there  they  will  not  stop.  They  are  never  satisfied, 
Mahtawa  knows  them  well." 

This  speech  sank  like  a  death-knell  into  the  hearts  of 


*r 


the  hunters,  for  they  knew  that  if  the  savages  refused  to 
make  peace,  they  would  scalp  them  all  and  appropriate 


M^^. 


'■?' 


THE  INDIAN  CHIEF. 


103 


their  gopds.  To  make  things  worse,  a  dark-visaged 
Indian  suddenlj  caught  hold  of  Henri's  rifle,  and,  ere 
he  was  aware,  plucked  it  from  his  hand.  The  blood 
rushed  to  the  gigantie  hunter's  forehead,^  and  he  was  on 
the  point  of  springing  at  the  man,  when  Joe  said  in  a 
deep,  quiet  voice,— 

«  Be  still,  Henri.    You  will  but  hasten  death." 

At  this  moment  there  was  a  movement  in  the  out- 
skirts of  the  circle  of  horsemen,  and  another  chief  rode 
into  the  midst  of  them.  He  was  evidently  higher  in 
rank  than  Mahtawa,  for  he  spoke  authoritatively  to  the 
crowd,  and  stepped  in  before  him.  The  hunters  drew 
little  comfort  from  the  appearance  of  his  face,  however^ 
for  it  scowled  upon  them.  He  was  not  so  powerful  a 
man  as  Mahtawa,  but  he  was  more  gracefully  formed, 
and  had  a  more  noble  and  commanding  countenance. 

"  Have  the  Pale-faces  no  wigwams  on  the  ^at  river 
that  they  should  come  to  spy  out  the  lands  of  *the  Paw- 
nee ?  "  he  demanded. 

«  We  have  not  come  to  spy  your  country,"  answered 
Joe,  raising  hiiaself  proudly  as  he  spoke,  and  taking  off 
his  cap.  We  have  come  with  a  message  from  the  great 
chief  of  the  Pale-faces,  who  lives. in  the  village  far 
beyond  the  great  river  where  the  sun  rises.  He  says, 
why  should  the  Pale-face  and  the  Red-inan  fight? 
"^  Tl^  are  brothers.    Tho^«ime  ^fenitou  *^  watehwover 

«  The  Indian  name  for  Qod. 


/ 


104 


THB  INDIAN  CHIEF. 


both.  Tl^e  Pale-faces  have  more  beads,  and  guns,  uid 
blwikets,  and  knives,  and  vermillion  than  they  require ; 
they  wish  to  give  some  of  these  things  for  the  skins 
and  furs  which  the  Red-man  does  not  know  what  to  do 
with.  The  great  chief  of  the  Pale-faces  W  sent  me  to 
say,  *  Why  should  we  fight?  let  us  smoke  the  pipe  of 
peace?"*  \ 

At  the  mention  of  beads  and  blankets  the  facp  of  the 
wily  chief  brightened  for  a  moment. ;  Then  iie  said, 
sternly, —  ,  I 

« The  heart  ot  the  Pale-face  is  not  true.  ^/He  has 
come  here  to  trade  for  himself.  San-it-sa-rish  has  eyes 
that  can  see  —  they  are  not  shut.  Are  not  these  your 
goods?"  The  chief  pointed  to  the  pack-horse  as  he 
spoke. 

•  "  Trappers  do  not  take  their  goods  into  the  heart  of 
an  enemy's  camp,"  returned  Joej  *' San-it-sa-rish  is 
wise  and  will  understand  this.  These  are  gifts  to  the 
chief  of  the  Pawnees.  There  are  more  awaiting  him 
when  the  pipe  of  peace  is  smoked.  I  have  said, — What 
message  shall  we  take  back  to  the  great  chief  of  the 
Pale-faces?" 

San-it-sa-rish  was  evidently  mollified. 

"The  himting-field  is  not  the  council  tent,"  he  said. 
"  The  Pale-faces  will  go  with  us  to  our  village." 
J^^yg  J^OQ  ^fts  tOQ^glad  to  agree  tOfMrn  proposi^  ^ 


but  he  now  deemed  it  politic  to  disolav  a  little  firmnessi 


THIS  INDIAN  CHIEF. 


^m 


"  We  cannot  go  till  our  rifle  i^  restored,  ft  will  not 
do  to  go  back  and  tell  the  great  chief  orthe  Pale-faces 
that  the  Pawnees  are  thieves."  \r 

The  chief  frowned  angrily. 

"  The  Pawiiees  are  true — they  are  not  thieves.  They 
choose  to  look  at  the  rifle  o£  the  Pale-face.  It  shall  be 
returned." 

The  rifle  was  instantly  restored,  and  then  our  hunters 
rode  off  with  the  Indians  toward  their  camp.  On  the 
way  they  met  hundreds  of  women  and  children  going  to 
the  scene  of  the  great  hunt,  for  it  was  their  special  duty 
to  cut  up  the  meat  and  carry  it  into  camp.  The  men^ 
considering  that  they  had  done  quite  enough  in  killing 
it,  returned  to  smoke  and  eat  away  the  fatigues  of  the 
chase.  '  . 

As  they  rode  along,  Dick  Varley  observed  that  some 
of  the  "  braves,"  as  Indian  warriors  are  styled,  were  eat- 
ing  pieces  of  the  bloody  livers  of  the  buffaloes  in  a  raw 
state,  at  which  he  expressed  not  a  little  disgust 

"  Ah  I  boy ;  you're  green  yet,"  remarked  Joe  Blunt 
in  an  under  tone.  "Mayhap  ye'll  be  thankful  to  do 
that  same  yerself  some  day." 

"  Well,  m  not  refuse  to  try  when  it  is  needful,"  said 
Dick  with  a  laugh,  "meanwhile  Fm  content  to  see  the 
Bed-skins  do  it,  Joe  Blunt." 


Q 


i-Cm. 


\"        106 


THE   PAWNEE   VILLAGE. 


I  V 


CHAPTER  Vni. 


»: 


DicM  an^  ihifl  Friends  visit  the  Indiapa  and  see  many  Wonders.'— 
Crasoe,  J^jp,  experieniies  a  few  Surprises  and  teaches  Indian  Dogs 
a  Lesson. —An  Indian  Dandy.  —A  Foot-race. 

The  Pawilee  village,  at  which  they  soon  arrived,  was 
situated  in  the  midst  of  a  most  interesting  and  pictur- 
esque scene. 

It  occupied  an  extensive  plain  yhich  sloped  gently 
down  to  a  creek,*  whose  winding  course  was  marked 
by  a  broken  line  oip  wood,  here  and  there  interspersed 
with  a  fine  cluinp  of  trees,  between  the  trunks  of  which 
the  blue  waters  of  a  lake  sparkled  in  the  distance. 
Hundreds  of  tents  or  "lodges"  of  buffalo  skins  covered 
the  ground,  and  thousands  of  Indians  —  men,  women, 
and  childreh — moved  about  the  basy  scene.  Some 
were  sitting  in  their  lodges,  lazily  smoking  their  pipes. 
But  these  were  chiefly  old  and  infirm  veterans,  for  all 
the  young  men  had  gone  to  the  hunt  which  we  have 
just  described.  The  women  were  stooping  over  their 
fires,  busily  preparing  maize  and  meat  for  their  hus- 
bands and  brothers,  while  myiflads  of  little  brown  and 
^--naked  efaiMren  romped  about  every wherCffilliBg^aii 

*  in  America  small  rivers  or  rivulets  are  tenned  "  creeks." 


1 


iai«^^:^::Ji^J\iii)iu^}^h^:.-r^^^^^ 


THS  PAWNEES. 


107 


was 


with  their  yells  and  screams,  which  were  only  equalled, 
if  not  surpassed,  by  the  yelping  dogs  that  seemed  innu- 
merable. 

Far  as  the  eye  could  reach  were  seen  scattered  herds 
of  horses.  These  were  tended  by  little  boys  who  were 
totally  destitute  of  clothing,  and  who  seemed  to  $njoy 
with  infinite  zest  the  pastime  of  shooting-practice  with 
little  bows  and  arrows.  No  wonder  that  these  Indians 
become  expert"  bowmen.  There  were  urchins  there, 
scarce  two  feet  high,  with  round  bullets  of  bodies  and 
short  spindle-shanks,  who  could  knock  blackbirds  off 
the  trees  at  eveiy  shot,  and  cut  the  heads  off  the  taller 
flowers  with  perfect  certainty!  There  was  much 
need,  too,  for  the  utmost  proficiency  they  could  at* 
tain,  for  the  very  existence  of  the  Indian  tribes  of  the 
prairies  depends  on  their  success  in  hunting  the 
buffalo. 

There  are  hundreds  and  thousands  of  North  American 
savages  who  would  undoubtedly  perish  and  their  tribes 
became  extinct  if  the  buffaloes  were  to  leave  the  pnuries 
or  die  out.  Yet,  although  animals  are  absolutely  essen- 
tial to  their  existence,  they  pursue  and  slay  them  with 
improvident  recklessness,  sometimes  killing  hundreds  of 
them  merely  for  the  sake  of  the  sport,  the  tongues,  and 
the  marrow  bones.  In  tiie  bloody  hunt  described  in  the 
JaMi  chapti^,  Jumevw,  &e  sku^tef  ofso  mfmy^^as^ofe:: 


wanton,  because  the  village  that  had  to  be  supplied  with 


4 


108 


THE   chief's  tent. 


food  was  large'  and,  just  previons  to  the  hunt,  thej  had 
been  living  on  somewhat  reduced  allowance.  Even  the 
blackbirds,  shot  by  the  brown-bodied  urchins  before 
mentioned,  had  been  thankfully  put  into  the  pot. 
Thus  precarious  is  the  supply  of  food  among  the  Bed- 
men,  who  on  one  day  are  starving,  and  the  next  are 
revelling  in  superabundance. 

But  to  return  to  our  story.  At  one  end  of  this  vil- 
lage the  prefek  sprang  over  a  ledge  of  rock  ip  a  low  cas- 
cade and  opened  out  into  a  beautiful  lake,  the  bosom  of 
which  was  studded  with  small  islands.  Here  were 
thousands  of  those  smaller  species  of  wild  water-fowl 
which  were  either  too  braye  or  too  foolish  to  be  scared 
away  by  the  noise  of  the  camp.  And  here,  too,  dozens 
rf  children  were  sporting  on  the  beach,  or  paddling 
about  in  their  light  bark  canoes. 

"Isn't  it  strange,"  remarked  Dick  to  Henri,  as  they 
passed  among  the  tents  towards  the  centre  of  the  vil- 
lage, «i8nt  it  strange  th^  t^m  Injuns  should  be  so 
fond  o'  fightin'  when  they've  got  all  they  can  want -^  a 
fine  country,  lots  o'  butfalo,  an'  as  far  as  I  can  see, 
happy  homes  ?  " 

"  Oui,  it  is  remarkaibel,  vraiment.,  Bot  dey  do  more 
love  wai:  to  peace.    De  loves  to  be  exdt-ed,  I  s'pose." 

**  Humph  1     One  would  think  the  huiit  we  seed  a 
Jittle  agone  would  be  excitynent  enough.    Bqt, 
Uiat  must  be  the  chiers  tent,  by  the  look  o't." 


v_ 


S^  xh^\ 


THS  CHIEV'S  TENT. 


109 


Dick  was  right  ^  the  horsemen  palled  up  and  dis- 
mounted opposite  the  principal  chief's  tent,  which  was 
a  larger  and  niore  elegant  structure  than  the  others. 
Meanwhile  >  an  immense  concourse  of  women,  children, 
and  dogs^  gathered  round  the  strangers,  and,  w^e  the 
latter  yelped  their_disUke  to  white  men,  the  former 
chattered  continuouslj,  as  they  discussed  -the  appear- 
ance 01^  the  strangers  and  their  errand,  which  latter  soon 
became  known.  An  end  was. put  to  this  hf^ San-it-sa- 
rish  desiring  the  hunters  to  enter  the  tent,  and  spreading 
a  buffalo  robe  fbr  them  to  sit  on.-  ,Two  braves  carried 
in  their  packs  and  then  led  away  their  horses. 

All  this  time  Crusoe  had  kept  as  dose  as.  possible  to 
his  master's  side,  feeling  extremely  uncomfortable  in 
the  midst  of  such  a  strange  crowd,  the  more  especially 
that  thti^  ill-looking  Indian  curs  gave  him  expressive 
looks  of  \^atred,  and  exhibited  some  desire  to  rush  upon 
him  i^  a  ^y,  so  that  he  had  to  keep  a  sharp  lo(^-out 
all  round  ^lim.  When,  therefore^  Dick  entered  the  tent 
Crusoe  endeavored  to  do  so  along  with  him,  but  he  was 
met  by  a  blow  on  the  nose  from  an  old  squaw,  who 
scolded  him\in  a  shrill  Voice  and  bade  him  begone. 

Either  ou^  hero's  knbwledge  of  the  Indian  language 

was  ijisuffid^nt  to  enable,  him  tp  uitderstand  the  order, 

or  he  had  res6lved  not  to  obey  it,  for  instead  6f  retreat- 

-^Jie^^rew^V^eep  gurgling  breath,  enrfed  hit  n6B«^=^ 

and  displayed  ^  row  of  teeth  that  caused  Ui^  old  woman 

■    m 


!  i 


u 


■i-:     r^U'^Y  ;■   .^-ik   . 


110    CEnsOE's.BECKPTION  BY   THE   INDIAN  DOGS. 

to  draw  back  in  alanti.  Crusoe',  was  a  foi^ving  spirit. 
The  mstant  that  opposition  ceased  he  forgot  the  injury, 
and  was  meekly  advancing  when  Dick  held  up  his' 
finger.  t  °      * 

"  Go  outside,  pup,  and  wait." 
Crusoe's  tail  drooped;  with  a  deep  sigh  he  turned 
and  left  the  tent  M6  took  up  a  position  near  the  en- 
trance,  however,  and  sat  down  resignedly.  So  meek, 
indeed,  did  th^  poor  dog  look,  that  six  mangy-looking 
curs  felt  their  dastardly  heirts  emboldened  to  make  a 
rush  at  him  with  boisterogi^elb. 

Crusoe  did  not  rise,  i^did  not  even  condescend  to 
turn  his  head  towards  them,  but  he  looked  at  them  out 
of  the  comer  of  his  daA  eye,  wrinkled  -  very  slightly 
— 4he  skin  of  his  nose,  exhibited  two  beauUful  fangs, 
and  gave  utterance  U>  a  ^oft  remark,  that  might  be  dj^ 
scribed  as  quiet,  deep-toned  gargling.  It  wasn't  mp<;h, 
but  It  was  more  than  enough  for  the  vaUant  six,  wh 
paused  and  snarled  violently. 

It  w&s  a  peculiar  trait  oJgJrusoe's  gentle  na^ 
the  moment  any  danger  ceSed,  he  resumed  l|___^ 
sibn  of  .nonchalant  gravity.    The  expi^ssioTT^ 
occasion  was  misuaderstpod,  however,  and,  as  about 
1^0  dozen  additional>lping  dogs  had  joinbd  the  ranks 

^*i.«  ^emy,  they  advanced  in  close  order  to  the  at- 

'.•jjjjpt"'        ,-i? 


r 


l^ 

E^m 

m  •  '•'-0^ 

7 

'  .^ 

lea 

do 

-^           do 

M( 

me 

an^ 

sht 

•" '"-     eitl 

roa 

bai 

res 

1 

1             del 

1*           val 

1           ( 

f             wit 

W            frot 

■            ren 

1           b9u 

B              .     Ann 

^ , '"'6 

1 

1    •:      the 

■,k.' 


Aih^rf      **"  •*-. 


,'^^ 


A  i ' 


THE   ATTACK. 


Ill 


t  ■■» 


ihem  again  wd  .exhibited  four  fangs  for  their 
Pipection.^  Among  the  pack  there  was  one  Indian  dog 
^ot  large  size  — almost  aslarge  as  Crusoe  himself — 
,  yhich  kept  well  in  the  rear,  and  apparently  urged  the 
lesser  dogs  on.  The  little  dogs  ^idn't  object,  for  little 
dogs  are  generally  the  most  pugnacious.  At  this  big 
dog  Grusoe  dii-ected  a  pwiQted  glance,  but  said  nothing. 
Meanwhile  a  particularly  small  and  vicious  cur,  with  a 
mere  rag  of  a  tail,  crept  round  by  the  back  qf  the  tent, 
anj^,  coming  upon  Crusoe  in  rear,  snapped  at  his  tail 
sharply,  and  then  fled  shrieking  with  terror  and  sur- 
,  prise,  no  doubt,  at  its  own  temerity. 

Crusoe  did  not  bark ;-  he  seldom  barked ;  he  usuaUy 
either  said  nothing,  or  mve  utterance  to  a  prolonged 
roar  of  indignation  of  theXnost  terrible  character  with 
barks,  as  it  we»e,  mingled  through  it.  It  somewhat 
resemWed  that  peculiar  and  well-known  species  of  thun- 
der, the  prolonged  roll  of  which  is  marked  at  short  intei^ 
vals  in  its  course  by  cannon-like  cracks.  It  was  a  con- 
Wnuous,  but,  so  to  speak,  knotted  roar. 

On  receiving'  the  snap,  Crusoe  gave  forth  the  roar 
with  a  majesty  and  power  that  scattered  the  pugnacious 
front  rank  of  the  enemy  to  the  winds.  Those  that  still 
remained,  half  stupefied,  he  leape4  over  with  a  huge  ' 
b9und  and  alighted,  fangs  first,  on  the  back  of  the  big 
4Qg^  Tfetm  WM  one  -hidcoua  yclUi  tnufited^cramMf 


of  an  instant's  duration,  wd  the  big  dog  lay  dead  up<m 
the  plain  I 


.  -A' 


-■"# 


112 


THE  PAWNEES. 


It  was  an  awful  thing  to  do;  but  Crusoe  evidently 
felt  that  the  pecuUar  circumstances  of  the  case  reqWred 
that  an  example  should  b§  made— and  to  say  truth,  aU 
things  considered,  we  cannot  blame  him.  The  news 
must  have  been  carried  at  once  through  the  canine  por- 
tion of  the  camp,  for  Crusoe  was  never  interfered  wi^ 
again  after  tixat 

Dick  witnessed  this  little  incident;  but  he  observed 
that  the  Ind^n  chief  cared  not  a  straw  about  il,  and  as 
His  dog  returned  quieUy  and  sat  down  in  its  old  place, 
he  took  no  notice  of  it  either,  but  continued  to  listen  to 
the  explanations  which  Joe  gave  to  the  chief,  of  the  de- 
sire of  the  Pale-faces  to  be  friends  with  the  Bed-men. 

Joe's  eloquence  would  have  done  little  for  him  on 
this  occasion^had  his  hands  been  empty ;  but  he  followed 
it  up  by  opening  one  of  his  packs  and  displaying  the 
glittering  contents  before  the  equaUy  gUttenng  eyes  of 
the  chief  and  his  squaws. 

"These,"  said  Joe,  «are  the  gifts  that  the  great  chief 
of  the  Pale-faces  sends  to  the  great  chief  of  4e  Paw-  - 
nees,  and  he  bids  me  say  that  there  are  many  more' 
things  in  his  st<ires  which  will  be  traded  for  skins  with 
the  Red-men,  when  they  visit  him;  and  he  also  saya 
that  if  the  Pawnees  wiU  not  steal  horaes  any  more  from 
the  Pale-faces,  they  shall  receive  gifts  of  knives,  and 
guns,  and  powder,  and  blanket^  ^veryyear.^ 


"Wah!"  grunted  the  chitf;  it  is  good.    The  great 
chief  is  wise.    We  wiH  smoke  the  pipe  of  peace." 


^ 


THE  PAWNEES. 


118 


I  The  things  that  aflTorded  so  much  satisfactioii  to 
San-it-sa-rish  were  the  veriest  trifles.  Penny  looking- 
glasses  in  yeUow  gUt  tm  frames,  beads  of  various  col- 
ors, needles,  cheap  scissors,  and  knives,  vermillion 
paint,  and  coarse  scarlet  cloth,  etc  They  were  of 
priceless  vsflue,  however,  in  the  estimation  of  the^sav- 
ages,  who  delighted  to  adorn  themselves  with  leggings 
made  from  the  cloth,  beautifully  worked  with  beads  by 
their  own  ingenious  women.  They  were  thankful,  too, 
for  knives  even  of  the  commonest  description,  having 
none  but  boQ«  ones  of  their  own ;  and  they  gloried  in 
daubing  their  faces  with  int&rmingled  streaks  of  charcoal 
and  vermilUon.  To  gaze  at  their  visages,  when  thus 
treated,  in  the  little  penny  looking-glasses,  is  their  sum- 
mit of  delight  I 

Joe  presented  the  chief  with  a  portion  of  these 
coveted  goods  and  tied  up  the  remainder.  We  may 
remark  here,  that  the  only  thing  which  prevented  the 
savages  from  taking  possession  of  the  whole  at  once, 
without  asking  permission,  was  the  promise  of  the 
annual  gifts,  which  they  knew  would  not  Be  forthcom- 
ing were  any  evil  to  befall  the  deputies  of  the  Pale- 
facfis.  Nevertheless,  it  cost  them  a  severe  struggle  to 
reatrain  their  hands  on  this  occasion,  and  Joe  and  his 
companions  felt  that  they  would  have  to  play  their 


pwf  weir  in  ordiaTofulfflThdr  mission  with  safely  a^^^ 


ccedit. 


10* 


114 


AN  INDIAN  DANDT. 


"The  Pale-faces  may  go  now  and  tidk  with  the 
braves,"  said  San-it-sa-rish,  after  carefully  examinin:? 
every  thing  that  was  given  to  him;  «a  council  will  be 
called  soon,  and  we  will  smoke  the  pipe  of  peace." 

Accepting  this  pennission  to  retire,  the  hunters  im- 
mediately left  the  tent,  and  being  now  at  liberty  to  do 
what  they  pleased,  they  amused  themselves  by  wander-        V  '■'^  1 
ing  about  the  village. 

"He's  a^'cute  chap  that,"  remarked  Joe,  with  a  sar- 
castic smile ;  « I  don't  feel  quite  easy  about  gettin'  away. 
He'll  bother  the  life  out  o'  us  to  get  all  the  goods  we've 
got,  and,  ye  see,  as  we've  other  tribes  to  visit,  we  must 
give  away  as  little  as  M^e  can  here." 

"Ha!  you  is  right,"  said  Henri;  " dat  fellow's  eyes 
twinkle  at  de  knives  and  tings  like  two  stars." 

"  Fire-flies,  ye  should  say.  Stars  are  too  soft  an' 
beautiful  to  compare  to  the  eyes  o'  yon  savage,"  said 
Dick,  laughing..  "I  wish  we  were  well  away  from 
them.    That  rascal  Mahtawa  is  an  ugly  customer." 

"True,  lad,"  returned  Joe;  "had  he  bin  the  great 
chief  our  scalps  had  bin  dryin'  in.  the  smoke  o'  a  Paw- 
nee wigwam  afore  now.     What  now,  lad  ?  " 

Joe's  question  wi^  put  in  consequence  of  a  gleeful 
smile  that  overspread  the  coijntenance  of  Dick  Varley, 
who  replied  by  pointing  to  a  wigwam  towards  which 


^hey  were  apptoachin^ 

«  Oh  I  that's  only  a  dandy,"  exclaimed  Joe.    "  There's 


.1 


^^'• 


i-M>isi^*--'.vf*i-i^',: 


■.T>.?-" 


^\  ' 


•V7 


AN  INDIAN  DANDT. 


115 


lots  o'  them  in  etery  injun  camp.    They're  fit  for  nothin 
but  dress,  poor  contemptible  critters." 

Joe  accompanied  iiis  remark  with  a  sneer,  for  of  all 
pitiable  objects,  he  regarded  an  unmanly  man  as  the 
most  despicable.  He  consented,  however,  to  sit  down 
on  a  grassy  bank  and  watch  the  proceedings  of  this 
Indian  dandy,  who  had  just  seated  himself  in  front 
of  his  wigwam  for  the  purpose  bf  making  his 
toilet. 

He  began  it  by  greasing  his  whole  person  carefully 
and  smoothly  over  with  buffalo-fat,  until  he  shone  like 
a  patent  leather  boot ;  then  he  rubbed  himself  almost 
dry,  leaving  the  skin  sleek  and  glossy.  Having  pro- 
ceeded thus  far  he  took  up  a  small  mirror,  a  few  inches 
in  diameter,  which  he  or  some  other  member  of  the' 
tribe  must  have  procured  during  one  of  their  few 
excursions  to* the  trading  forts  of  the  Pale-faces,  and 
examined  himself,  as  well  as  he  could,  in  so  limited  a 
space.  Next,  he  took  a  little  vermillion  from  a  small 
parcel  and  rubbed  it  over  his  face  until  it  presented 
,the  somewhat  demoniac  appearance  of  a  fiery  red.  He 
also  drew  a  broad  red  score  along  the  crown  of  his 
head,  which  was  closely  shaved,  with  the  exception  of 
the  usual  tuft  or  scalplock  on  the  top.  This  scalplock 
stood  bristling    straight  up  a  few  inches,  and  then 


curved  over  and  hung  down  his  back  about  two  feet. 
Immense  care  and  attention  was  bestowed  on  this  lock. 


\ 


mtJl-,'-  j^^^^LiV  e  ^■. :.  ^'  \ 


U"  , 


0»..'' 


^16  ^  VXVZLSt  DANDY. 

\ 

He  smoothed  it,  grea^d  it,  and  plaited  it  into  th6  foim 
of  a  pigtail  Another  appUcation  was  here  made  to 
the  glass,  an^^the  result  was  evidently  satisfactory,  to 
judge  from  thebean^g  smile  that  played  on  his  feat- 
ures. But,  not  contecit  with  the  general  effect,  he  tried 
the  effect  of  expression — frowned  portentously,  scowled 
savagely,  gaped  hideously,  and  grinned  horribly  a  ghastly 
smile.  / 

Then  OMr  dandy  fitted  into  his  ears,  which  wert 
bored  in  several    places,  sundry  omamenis,  guch  as 
rings,  wampum,  etc,  and  hung  several  strings^f  beadi 
round  his  neck.    Besides  these  he  Affixed  one  or  two 
omai^nts  to  his  arms,  wrists,  and  ancles,  and  touched 
in  a  f^w  effects  with  vermillion  on  the  shonldew  and 
breast     After  this,  and  a  few  more  glances  at  the 
glass,  he  put  on  a  pair  of  beautiful  moccasins,  which, 
besides  being  richly  wrought  with  beads,  were  soft  as 
chamois  leather,  and  fitted  his  feet  like  gloves ;  a  pair  of 
leggings  of  scarlet  cloth  were  drawn  on,  attached  to  ii 
waist-belt,  and  bound  below  the  knee  with  broad  garters 
of  varieg&tfed  bead-work. 

It  was  some  fone  before  this  Adonis  was  quite  satis- 

fled  with  himself.    He  re-touched  the  paint  on  his 

shoulders  several  times,  and  modified  the  glare  of  that 

on  his  wide-mouthed,  high-cheek-boned  visage  before 

Jfti»nld  tear  himself  away;  batafriasfr  he  did  <to}Tmd,  - 


:^sm:ti 


■Wf  vJPi*       <  ^~ 


J 


AN  INDIAN  DANDT. 


117 


throwing  a  large  piece  of  scarlet  cloth  over  his  should- 
ers, he  thrust  his  looking-glass  under  his  belt,  and 
proceeded  to  moUnt  his  palfrey,  which  was  held  in 
readiness  near  to  the  tent  door  by  one  of  his  wives. 
The  horse  was  really  a  fine  animal,  and  seemed  worthy 
of  a  more  warlike  master.  His  shoulders,  too,  Irere 
^ped  with  red  paint,  and  feathers  were  intertwined 
Aith  his  mane  and  taU,  while  the  brfdle  was  decorated 
with  various  jingUng  ornaments. 

VauUing  upon  his  steed,  with  a  large  fen  of  wUd- 
goos?  and  turkey  feathers  in  one  hand,  and  a  whip 
dangling  at  the  wrist  of  the  other,  this  incomparable 
dandy  sallied  forth  for  a  promenade— that  being  his 
chief  delight  when  there  was  no  buffalo  hunting  to  be 
done.  Other  men  who  were  not  dandies  sharpened 
their  knives,  smoked,  feasted,  and  mended  their  spears 
and  arrows  at  such  seasons  of  leisure,  or  played  at 
athletic  games.  ^ 

«  Let's  follow  my  budc,"  said  Joe  Blunt. 
«Oui.     Come  'long,"  repUed  Henri,  striding  after 
the  rider  at  a  pace  that  ahnost  compeUed  his  comrades 
to  run. 

"Hold  on  I"  cried  Dick,  laughing;  «we  don't  want 
to  keep  him  company.  A  distant  view  is  quite  enough 
o'  sich  a  diap  as  that." 

yoaforgii^laumbrBeeto.'' 


1 


? 


T/ 


•^^8  htdiak  oahko. 

/vf°'™"*'^  the  better,"  remarked  Joe;    "it's  my 
Opinion  we've  seen  enough  o'  him.    Ah  I    he's  goin'  to 
look,  on  at  the  games.    Them's  worth  lookin'  at.* 
',i^     The  games  to  which  Joe  referred  were  taking  place 
on  a  green  level  pUdn  close  to  the  creek,  and  a  little 
'  above  the  waterfaU  before  referred  to.    Some  of  the 
Indians  were  horse-racing,  some  jumping,  and  others 
wrestlmg;  but  the  game  which  proved  most  attractive 
was  throT«5ing  the  javelin,  in  which  several  of  the  yoang 
braves  were  engaged.  •  '  ' 

This  ^me  is  played  by  two  competitors,  each  armed 
with  a  dart,  in  an  arena  ^ut  fifty  yards  long.     One  • 
of  the  players  has  a  hoop  oj  six  inches  in  diameter. 
At  a  signal  they  start  off  on  foot  at  full  speed,  and  on 
reaching  the  middle  of  the  arena  the  Indian  with  the 
hoop  rolls  it  along  before  them,  and  each  does  his  best 
to  send  a  javelin  through  the' hoop  before  the  other. 
He  who  succeeds  counts  so  many  points  — if  both  miss, 
the  nearest  to  the  hoop  is  aUowed  to  count,  but  not  so 
miich  as  if  he  had  «  ringed  "  it    The  Indiai^i  are  very 
fond  of  this  game,  and  wiU  play  at  it  under  a  broiling 
sun  for  hours  together.     But  a  good  deal  of  the  inter- 
est att^hing  to  it  is  owing  tr'the  fact  that  they  make 
it  a  means  of  gamblmg.    Indians  are  inveterate  gam- 
blers, and  will  sometimes  go  on  untU  they  lose  horses, 
bows,  blankete,  robes,  and,  in  short,  their  wbol^  p^r- 


,'-T  '*"  "U"^ 


HP- 


INDIAN  OAUES. 


119 


Bonal  property.  T|ie  consequences  are,  as. might  be 
expected,  that  fierce  'and  bloody  quarrels  sometimes 
arise  in  which  life  i^  often  lost. 

«  Tryjyour  hand  at  thaV  said  Henri  to  Dick. 
"By  ^  means,"  cried  Dick,  handing  his  rifle  to  his 
friend,  ai^d  springing  into  the  ring  enthusiasticaUy. ' 

A  geneiral  shout  of  applause  greeted  the  Pale-faoe, 
who  threw  off  his  coat  and  tightened  his  belt,  while  a 
young  Indian  presented  him  with  a  d«rt. 

"Now,  see  that  ye  do  us  credit,  lad,"  said  Joe. 
"I'll  try,"  answered  Dick. 

In  a  moment  they  were  off.  The  young  Indian  roUed 
away  the  hoop,  and  Dick  threw  his  dart  with  such  vigor 
that  It  went  deep  into  the  ground,  but  missed  the  hoop 
by  a  foot  at  least.  The  young  Indian's  firat  dart  went 
through  the  centre. 

"  Ha  I »  exclaimed  Joe  Blunt  to  the  Indians  near  him 
"the  lad's  not  used  to  that  game,  tr^  him  at  a  race.' 
Bnng  out  you  best  brave-he  who's  bound  is  like  the 
hunted  deer*' 

We  need  scarcely  remind  the  reader  that  Joe  spoke 
m  the  Indian  language,  and  that  the  above  is  a  correct 
rendering  of  the  sense  of  what  he  said. 

The  name  of  Tarwicadia,  or  the  litUe  chief,  immedi- 
ately  passed  from  lip  to  lip,  and  in  a  few  minutes  an 
Indian,  a  little  below^Ae  medium  siz^-borarded  into  fflr=--= 


120 


THE  RACE. 


arena  with  an  India-rubber-like  elasticity  that  caused  a 
shade  of  anxiety  to  pass  over  Joe's  face. 

« Ah,  boy!"  he  whispered,  "I'm  afeared  you'll  find 
him  a  tough  customer." 

«  That's  just  what  I  want,"  replied  Dick.    «  He's  sup- 
ple enough,  but  he  wants  muscle  in  the  thigh.    We'll 
make  it  a  long  heat" 
"  Right,  lad,  yer  right." 

Joe  jxoy^  proceeded  to  arrange  the  conditions  of  the 
race  with  the  chiefs  around  him.    It  was  fixed  that  the 
distance  to  be  run  should  be  a  mile,  so  that  the  race 
would  be  one  of  two  miles,  out  and  back.    Moreover, 
the  competitors  were  to  run  without  any  clothes,  eicept 
a  belt  and  a  small  piece  of  cloth  round  the  loins.    This 
to  the  Indians  was  nothing,  for  they  seldom  wore  more 
in  warm  weather,  but  Dick  would  have  preffrred  to 
keep  on  part  of  his  dress.    The  laws  of  the  course,  how- 
ever, would  not  permit  of  this,  so  he  stripped  and  stood 
forth,  the  beau-ideal  of  a  well-formed,  agile  man.    He 
was  greatly  superior  in  size  to  hw  antagonist,  and  more 
muscular^  the  savage  being  slender  and  extremely  lithe 
and  springy. 

"Hah I  I  will  run  too,"  shouted  Henn,  booncing  for- 
ward  with  clumsy  energy,  and  throwing  oflF  his  coat  just 
as  they  were  going  to  start 


"The  jwvagea  simled^^rt^^to  unexy6ete4  toMi  «PcU 
made  no  ol^tion,  considering  the  thing  in  the  lig^  of 
a  joke.  ^  , 


■^f 


.  V  it     .  A*^._. 


I  Ai      '^^  .  .  .      I  ,  iftV'aJ  tl    y^  i'.J^ 


I'HK  PACE. 


121 


The  signal  was  given,  and  away  they  went    Oh  I  it 
wdold  have  done  you  good  to  have  seen  the  way  in 
which  Henn  maticeuvred  his  limhs  on  this  celeb^d 
occasion  I    He  went  over  the  g,x>and  with  huge  ele- 
phantme  bounds,  runs,  and  jumps.    He  could  not  have 
b^  said  to  have  one  style  of  running;  he  had  a^dozen 
styles,  aU  of  whi^  came  into  pUy  in  the  course  of  half 
as  many  minutes.    The  other  two  r^  like  the  wind- 
yet,  although  Henri  appeared  to  be  going  heavily  over' 
«ie  ground  he  kept  up  with  them  to  the  tuming  point 
As  for  Dick,  it  became  evident  in  the  first  few  minutes 
that  he  could  outstrip  his  antagonist  with  ease,  and 
was  hanging  back  a  KtUe  aU  the  time.    He  shot  ahead 
like  an  arrow  when  they  came  about  half  way  back 
and  It  was  clear  that  the  real  interest  of  the  nice  was' 
to  lie  m  th6  cpmpetitipn  between  &enri  and  Tarwi- 
cadia.  \)  , . 

Before  they  were  two  thirds  of  the  way  back,  Dick 
walked  in  to  the  winning  point,  and  turned  to  watch 
the  othew.    Henri's  wind  was  about  gone,  for  he  ex- 
erted  himself  with  such  violence  that  he  wasted  half 
his  strength.    The  Indian,  on  the  contrary,  was  com- 
paratively  fresh,  but  he  was  not  so  fleet  as  his  an- 
togonisli  whose  tremendous  strides  carried  him  over 
the  gromid  at  an  incredible  pace.    On  they  came  neck 
^  aeel^mdoae<m  the  score  that  mjiked  the  wfiT^ 
""•g-pouit     Here  the-  value  of  enthusiasm  came  out 

II 


..  ^.  i*^^i^  j^  sif^Mtjd-*' 


/ 


isa 


TBI!  B^OE. 


~A 


f  ' 


strongly  in  the  <»8e  of  Henri.  He  ftU  that  he  could  ^ 
not  gain  an  inch  on  Tarwi(»dia  to  save  His  Ijfe;  bat, 
just  aa  he  came  up,  he  observed  the  aitdous  faces  of^ 
comrades  and  the  half^neering  counten^ces  of  the  st- 
ages. His  heart  thumped  against  his  ribs,  eyert  f|li|* 
de  thrilled  with  a  gush  of  conflicting  feelings,  |nd^e 
hurled  himself  over  the  score  like  a  cannon  shot,  full' 
six  inches  ahead  of  the  littfe  chief  I  - 

— But  &e  tiung  did  not  by  any^means  end  hereJ  Tar- 
wicadia  pulled  up  the  ins%;j»  he  had  passed  Not 
80  our  Canadian.  Such  a  domsy  era|.  colossal  frame 
was  not  to  be  checked  in  a  ippmeni"  .The  crowd  of 
Indians  opened  up  to  let  him  pass,  but  unfortunately  a 
small  tent  that  stood  in  the  waT  was  j&ot  so  c|bliging« 
Into  it  he  went,  head  foremost,  like  a  shell,  carried  away 
the  comer  post  with  his  shouldei|  and  brought  the 
whole  affidr  down  about  his  own  ears,  ^Sld<t]bo|e  of  its 
inmates,  among  whom  were  several  children,  and  two 
or  three  dogs.  It  required  some  time  to  extricate  them 
all  from  the  ruins,  but  when  this  was  effected,  it  was 
found  that  no  serious  damage  had  been  done  to  life  or 
limb  I 


A^  . 


a^tl  t-AJm^iMtX^^L.    JSLiti 


WAHPClf. 


■/t^ 


128 


^  CHAPTER  IX. 

Crnsoe  acts  a  Conspicuous  and  Huipane  Part  —A  Friend 
L«  gained.— A  Great  Feast 

0 

When  the  foot-race  was  concluded,  the  three  hunters 
hung  about,  looking  on  at  the  various  gamers  for  some 
time,  and  then  strolled  towards  the  lake. 

«Te  may  be  thankful  yer  neck's  whole,"  s^d  Joe, 
grinning,  as  Henri  rubbed  his  shoulderwith  a  rueful  look. 
«An'  we'll  have  to  send  that  Injun  and  his  femily  a 
knife  and  some  beads  to  make  up  for  the  fright  they 

"Hah!   an'  fat  is  to  be  give  to  me  for  my  broke 
shoulder?" 

"  Credit,  man,  credit,"  said  Dick  Varley,  laughing. 
«  Credit  I  fat  is  dat?" 

"Honor  and  glory,  lad, ^d  the  praises  of  them 
savages." 

"Hal  de  praise?  more  probeeba^  de  yi  viU  of  de 
;      rascale.    I  seed  dem  scowl  at  me  not  ver*  pritty." 

_ ^That's  true,  genri,  bat  ttAafr^HgitVrirye'llgif^ 

"I  vis^  remaried  Henri  after  a  pause— «I  vish  I 


iiw«^< 


^y    jj.    li^^    ,^„  iA,j-* 


>ilii(tt  M  t..*-^  ^  V 


■if  '^^ 


i 


i> 


II  i : 


THBUOOroBNT. 


The  noWe  Newfoundland  did  not  require  to  be  told 


BUld  git  de  vampum  6elt  de  leetle  chief  had  on.    It 
vaa  superb.    Fat  phice  do  yanppums  come  from?" 

"They'^B^®^ — " 

«Oui,"  interrupted  H^.    "Iknow/flrf  de  is.    Dey 

is  shells,  and  de  Injuns  tink  dem  goot  monish;  mals, 

I  ask  you/a<j»iflc«  de  come  from." 

«They  are  thought  to  be  gathered  on  the  shores  o* 

the  Paci^c,''  said  Joe ;  « the  Injuns  on  the  west  o'  the 

Rocky  Mountains  picks  them  up  and  exchanges  them 

wi'  the  fellows  hereaway  for  horses  and  skins— so  Tm 

told." 

At  this  moment  thei  e  wai  a  wild  cry  of  terror  heard  -     ;         | 
a  shott  distance  ahead  of  them.    Rushing  forward  they 
observed  an  Indian  woman  flying  frantically  down  the  . 

river's- bank  towards  the  waterf^,  a  "hundred  yards  V 
above  which  an  object  was  seen  stmgglfdg  in  the  water.  L  . 

« 'Tis  her  child,"  iaied  Joe,  as  the  mother's  franco  cry 
reached  his  ear.  li'U  be  over  the  fell  in  a  nnnutel 
Run,  Dick,  you're  quickest" 

They  had  all  stJirted  forward  at  speed,  but  Dick  and 
Crusoe  were  fer  ahead,  and  abreast  of  the  spot  in  a  few 

seconds. 

"Save  it,  puf>,"  cried  Dick,  p<»ntmg  t»  the  diild 
which  had  been  ca^bt  in^  eddy,  ancf  vras  for  a  few 
momenta  hovering  oil  the  edge  of  the  itream  tJiat  rushed 

befalL  — 


w- 


*^ 


>D.      It 
n 

Dey 
;  mais, 

ibrea  o' 
to' the 
is  them 
■so  Tm 

r  heard" 
jrdthey 
own  the 

1  yards,  i 
e  water.  L 
in^ccry 
minute  I 


I/'        i~ 


w^-^ 


¥"£■   f',11'' 


w 


^■..m 


fi 


^=    eAS» 


^BRnOB  PBOVXI  A 


nuxHo  nr  joro. 


|^MMKA«»<<nr. 


.;,irife4 


Ci^ 


/*■ 


I? 


iSBt 


tfT---  - 


CBC80E  A  FBI£in>  IN  NEED. 


125 


what  to  do.    It  kee^  a  natui^  instinct  in  this  saga- 
cious species  of  d<Jg  to*ave  manor  beast  that  chances  to 
be  struggling  in  the  witer,  and  many  are  the  authentic 
stories  related  of  Newfoundhmd  dogs  saving  life  in  case, 
ofshipwrecsk.   Indeed,  they  are  regularly  trnihed  to  the 
work  in  some  countries,  and  nobly,  fej^lessly,  disinter- 
estedly, do  they  discharge'  their  trust,  often  in  the  midst 
of  appalling  dangers.     Crusoe  sprang  from  the  bank 
with  such  impetus  that  his  broad  chest  ploughed  up  the 
water  like  the  bow  of  a  boat,  and  the  energetic  workings  ' 
of  his  muscles  were  indicated  by  the  force  of  each  suo- 
cessive  propulsion  as  he  shot  ahead. 

In  a  few  seconds  he  reached  the  child  and  caught  it 
by  the  hair.  Then  he  turned  to  swim  back,  but  the 
stream  had  got  hold  of  him.  Bravely  he  struggled,  and 
lifted  the  child  breast-hi^h  outDf  the  water  in  his  pow^ 
erfiil  eflforts  to  stem  the  cuirent  In  vain.  Each  mo,^. 
ment  he  was  carried^inch  by  inch  down  untU  he  was  o^ 
the  brink  of  the  fell,  which,  though  not  high,  was  a  Uu^ 
body  of  water,  and  feU  with  a  heavy  roar.  He  raised 
himself  high  out  of  the  stream,  with  theivigOr  of  his  la^ 
struggle,  and  then  feU  back  into  the  abyss. 

By  this  time  the  poor  mother  was  in  a  canoe  as  dose 
to  thefaU  as  she  could  with  safety  appro«;h,  and  the 
little  bark  dsneed  like  a  oockle  sheH  on  tho  tnrmna  ^ 


-\ 


waters  as  sIm  stood  with  uplifted  paddle  and  staring  eye- 
balls awiitiii|  the  rising  of  the  child. 


•"    ri 


m 


126 


THS  BESCTTB. 


Cnisoe  came  up  almost  inatantlj,  bat  aUme,  tor  tihe 
diash  over  the  fall  had  wi^nched  the  child  £rom  his  teethi 
He  raised  himself  high  up  and  looked  anxiously  round 
for  a  moment  Then  he  caugl^t  sight  of  a  little  hand 
raided  above  the  boiling  flood.  In  one  moment  he  had 
the^t^  agam  by  the  hair,  and,  just  as  the  prow  of  the 
Indian  piroman's  canoe  touched  the  shore,  he  brought  the 
chUdtJiand. 

Springing  towards  him,  the  mother  snatched  her  child 
from  the  flood  and  gazed  at  its  death-like  face  with  eye- 
balls starting  fiiom  their  sockets ;  then  she  laid  her  cheek 
on  its  cold  breast  and  stood  like  a  statue  of  despair^ 
There  was  one  slight  pulsation  of  the  heart  and  a  gentle 
motion  of  the  handi^'  The  child  still  lived.  Opening 
up  her  blanket  she  laid  her  little  one  against  her  naked 
warm  bosom,  drew  the  covering  close  around -it,  anc^ 
sitting  down  on  the  bank,  wept  aloud  for  joy. 

"Come, — come  'way  quick,"  cried  Henri,  hurrying 
off  to  hide  tihe  emotion  which  he  could  not  crush  down. 

"Ay,  she  don't  need  our  help  now,"  said  Joe,  follow- 
ing his  comrade. 

^  As  for  Crusoe,  he  walked  along  by  his  master's  side 
with  his  usual  quiet,  serene  look  of  good-will  towards  all 
mankind.  Doubtless  a  fe|^ng  of  gladness  at  having 
saved  a  human  life  4Ued  Jiis  sluiggy  breast,  ^r  he  wagged 

rTteil  ifent^,  vfter-eaclr  gOBkeitf  "fill  dripping  iid^ 
but  hisHeek  eyes  were  downcast,  save  when  raised  to 


# 


^**b 


rjCT^vJ^t'^^ 


DlCTlCULTnSS  AND  FBAB8.  127 

wceive  the  welcome  and  unnsuaUy  fervent  caress.  Cru 
soedid  not  know  that  those  three  men  loved  him^ 
though  he  had  been  a  brother. 

On  their  way  back  to  the  village  the  huntew  were 
niet  byalittle  boy,  who  said  that  a  coundl  was  to  be 
held  immediately,  and  their  presence  was  requested. 
Jhe  counca  was  held  ^  the  tent  of  the  principal 
chief,  towards  which  aU  the  other  chiefs  and  many  of 
the  noted  braves  hurried.    Like  aU  Indian  couneih.  it 
was  preceded  by  smokmg  the  "medicine  pipe,"  and  was 
i^owed  by  speeches  fiom  seveml  of  the  best  orators. 
The  substance  of  the  discourse  differed  UtUe  from  what 
has  been  akeady  related  in  .reference  to  the  treaty  be- 
tween  the  Pale-feces,  and  upon  the  whole  it  was  sati&c 
toiy.    But«oe  Blunt  could  not  fail  to  notice  that  Mah- 
tawa  maintained  sullen  silence  during  the  whole  course 
ot  the  meeting. 

V  Heobserved,also,thattherewasacon«iderablechange 
m  the  tone  of  the  meeting  when  he  informed  them  Z, 

he  was  bound  on  a  similar  errand  of  peace  to  several  of 
the  other  tribes,  espedaUy  to  one  or  two  tribes  which 
were  the  Pawnees'  bitter  enemies  at  that  time.  These 
^I«n^  savages  having  quite  made  up  iheir  minds 
titat  they  were  to  obtain  the  entire  oontehts  of  the  two 
biUes  of  ^pods,  were  much  mortified  on  hearing  thmt 


P^tnn^gd  to  other  Indian  tribes.    Some  of  them 
eypn  hrnte^  that  this  WQ»I4.  not  be  allowed,  and  Joe 


4e 


'    »™,|jljp(-»/^st 


f>f 


m 


rm  p^fWi(,..vEA&%. 


,  waxed  at  one  time  tliat  things  were  going  to  take  <ui 
nn&yorable  tmn.    The  hair  of  his  scalp,  as  he  afto^ 
wards  said,  «<began  to  lift  a  litUe  and  feel  oneaaj.? 
But  San-it-sa-rish  stood  honestly  to  his  word ;  said  that 
it  would  b^well  that  the  Pale-fiices  and  the  Pawnees 
should  be  brothers,  and  hoped  that  thej  woold  not  fi»>* 
get  the  promise  of  annual  presents  from  the  hand  of  tiie^ . 
greal^d^ef^^ho  lived  in  the  b%  village  nefu:  the  rising  snQ..{ 
Haykig  settled  this  matter  amicably,  Joe  distributed 
among  the  Indians  the  proportion  of  his  goods  designed 
for  them,  and  then  they  all  adjourned  to  another  tent 
^here.  a  great  feast  was  prepared  for  them. 
'^«  Are  7&  hungry?"  iaquired  Joe  of  Dick  as  they 
walked  along. 

,/<Ayj  that  am  L    I  feel  as  if  I  could  eat  a  buffiUo  ^ 
aliye.    Why,  it's  my  'pinion  we've  tasted  nothin'  siooe 
daybreak  this  momin'."  , 

.*  Well,  Pve  often  told  y^  that  them  Ited-skins  think  it     ' 
a  disgrace  to  give  in  eatin'  till  all  thaf  s  set  before  thefo 
at  a  feast  is  bolted.    Well  ha' to  stretch  oursel's  we  wilL*^ . 
^  "I'se  got  a  plenty  room,"  remarked  Henri.  ^ 

«  Ye  have,  but  y e'll  wish  ye  had  moreen  a  little." 
,«Ke%Inotcarel"  ,    Wi 

tfk  a  quarter  of  an  hour  all  the  guests  invited  to  thji  '  - 
great  medicine  feast  were  assembled.    No  wixneti  wei« 
admitted.  ^^gE!b€y  never  aee^  jfa^mfeBfir; 


.y*  W.^TOVkto  passing,  that  the  word  **mt^ 


\\ 


:pi. 


^■^5'V.fc/ 


''  "1 


TBB  XSTDIAK  ritJLBT.. 


ist 


dne,"  as  used  iimoiig  the  North  American  Indians,  has 
a  very  mnch  wider  ngnificatic^tn  than  it  has  with  na. 
B  is  an  afanost  inexpKcable  word.    When  asked,  they 
cannot  give  a  full  or  satisfactoiy  explanatlgnt^of  it  diem- 
selres.    In  the  general,  we  may  say  that  'whateveir  iff 
mysterioua  is  «  medidne."    Juggleiy  and  conjuring,  of 
a  noisy,  jnysterious,  and,  we  must  add,  rather  siUy 
nature,  is  "medicine,'*  and  the  juggler  is  a  "medicine 
man.**    Theie  medidne  oien  undertake  curep,  but  they 
are  regulwr  charlatans,  and  know  nothing  whatever  of 
the  diseases  they  pretend  to  cure,  or  their  remedies. 
They  carry  bags  containing  sundiy  refics;  these  are 
"medicine  bags."     Eveiy  brave  has  his  own  private 
medidne  bag.    Every  thing  that  is  incomprehensible  or 
supposed  to  be  supernatural,  religious,  or  medictd,  is 
"medidne."   Thfo  feast,  being  an  unusual  one,  in  honor 
of  strangers,  and  in  connection  with  a  peculiar  and  unex- 
pected event,  was  "  medidne."    Even  Crusoe,  dnoe  his 
gaUant  obn^uct  in  saving  tlie  Indian  chil^  waa"  medi- 
dne;" and  Didc  ViuWs  double4)arrBlled  rifle,  wUoh 
m  had  been  an  object  offender  ever  shiee  hit  anival  at 
the  viihge,  was  tremendous  "medidne  1*^    fefe 

Of  course  the  In^ma^  were  arrayed  in  tb^  BM; 
sever^  wore  n^I^  of  th%  daws  of  the  griady  bear, 


toiBsque  ^pr  ihey  were.    The  chief;  however,  hija 
nndergcme  a  transformation  that  weUnMr  njaet  the 

3f  .  • 


I     >; 


§ 


te-'.  ! 


'•n 


m 


/^ 


THE  INDL&ir  FEAST. 


gravity  of  our  hunters,  an4  rendered  Did^s  efifortd.  to 
look  sdemin  quite  abortive.  Sanoit-sa-rish  had  once 
been  to  the  trading  forts  of  the  Fale-face?,  and  while 

'  there  had  received  the  customary  gift  of  a  blue  snrtont 
with  brass  buttons,  and  an  ordinary  hat,  such  as  gentle- 

,  men  wear  at  home.  4^  the  ooa|  was  a  good  deal  tdo 
Bmaltifor  him,  a  terrible  length  of  dark,  bony  wrist  ap- 
peared below  the  cftflli.  The  waist  Mtas  too  high,  and  it 
was  with  grtot  difficulty  that  he  managed  to  button  th& 
garment  across  his  broad  chest  .  Being  ignorant  of  the 
nature  of  a  hat,  the  worthy  savage  had  allowed  the 
papeir  and  string  with  which  it  had  been  originally  cov-. 
Ctved,  to  remain  on,  supposing  them  to  be  part  and  pari 
eel  of  the  hat;  and  this,  together  with  the  high  -coUar 
of  the  coat,  which  gave  him  a  crushed-up  ^pearanoci, 
the  long  black  naked  legs,  and  the  painted  visage,  gaVe 
to  lam  SL  tout  entenMe  which  we  can  compare  to  ndth- 

Jng^  as  there  was  nothing  in  nature  comparable  to  IL  i 
'  Those  guests  who  assembled  first  passed  their /time 
in  smoking  the  medicine-pipe  until  the  others  should  ar- 
rive; for  BO  long  as  a  single  invited  guest  is-absent,  the  i 
feast  ^cannot  be^.  Plgnifled  silence  was  mamtaioed 
while  the  pipe  thus  circulated  from  hand  to  hand.  When 
tiie  last  guest  arrived  they  begaoi,  ^  !  / 

The  men  were  seated  in  two  rows,  ftioe  toj/ftee. 


Feasts  of th&  kinTusufflly  odnsisl  ofbut  one  8pe<§<Mi  of 
wi^  and  on  the  present  occasion  it  was  an  enormous 


it*"  w^£j&**'il#IS^ 


i.^      iJ.A-J,"    tfj.-»ii 


I 


I- 


THB  INDUK  PSAST. 


181 


canldron  fall  of  maize  which  had  to  be  devoured. 
About  flfiy  sat  down  to  eat  a  quanti^  of  what  may  be 
.  tenned  thick  porridge,  that  ^ould  liave  been  ample  al- 
lowance  for  a  hundred  ordinary  men^  "^Before  com- 
mendng,  San-itnsa-rish  desired  an  aged  medidne  man 
to  m^ke  an  oration,  which  he  did  fluently  and  poetically. 
Its  subject  was  the  praise  of  the  giver  of  the  feast.  At 
the  end  of  each  period  there  was  a  general  «HoaI 
bori ! "  of  assent — equivalent  to  the  hear  1  hear  I  of  civ- 
ilized men. 

Other  orators  then  followed,  all  of  whom  spoke  with 
great  ease  and  fluency,,  and  some  in  the  most  impas- 
sioned strains,  working  themselves  and  their  audience 
op  to.  the  highest  pitch  of  excitement,  now  shouting 
with  freiSied  violence  till  their  eyes  glared  from  their 
sockets,  and  the  veins  of  their  foreheads  swelled  almost 
to  bursting  as  they  spoke  of  war  and  chase — anon 
breaking  into  soft  modulated  and  pleasing  tones,  while 
they  dilated  upon  the  pleasures  of  peace  imd  hoiidal- 
»^        '■    '     -\  :'     ■   V-:-...;.:;;  ^ 

«  After  these  had  finfehed,  a  number  of  wooden  bowla 
fidl  of  maize  poriddge,  were  put  down  between  the 
guests —one  bowl  Veaoh  couple  ftdng  each  other. 
But  before  commencing^  a  portion  ^as  laid  aside  and 
.'diiioatod  to  iheir  gods,  wiA  variona  mysterioM  cbm. 


for  here,  as  in  other  places,  where  the  goe- 
?fel  is  not  known,  the.  poor  oajages  fimdedthat  thflj 


% 


\ 

•  •  %^ 
M 


^^.^iCii^^ritf&^'i^'-'^^.'^'A 


■^<Li.\ku'i^M%. 


■1-  Ti.j^'«'«»,r'        ).  <      fi" 


m 


TH£  mOlkS  I'BAST. 


./• 


em^  propitiate  Ck>d  with  eacrifioes.  They  had  n^vcr 
heiud  of  the  "Baonfice  of  a  broken  spirit  and  a  oontcite 
heart."  This  offering  being  made,  the  feast  bflgao-w 
earnests  Not  only  was  it  a  rale  in  this  feast  that  eTeiy 
moDthfal  should  be  swallowed  by  each  guest,  howevar 
^willing  and  unable  he  shcrnld  be  to  do  so,  but  he 
trhowonld  dispose  of  it  with  greatest  speed  was  deemed 
the  greatest  man— at  least  on  that  occasion— awhile  the 
hut  to  oonolude  his  supper  was  looked  upon  widi  ^chu^ 
d^piee  of  contempt  I  .".,«  S.v./„* 

:^  It  seems  strange  that  such  a  custom  should  ever 
have  arisen,  and  one  is  not  a  little  puzzled  in  endefip^ 
oring  to  guess  at  the  origin  of  it.    There  k  one  iact 
that  occurs:  to  us  as  the  probable  cause*    The  Indian  i% 
as'we  have  before  hinted,  frequent^  reduced  to  a  stale 
bordering  on  starvaticm,  and  in  a  day  after,  he  xta^  bpt^, 
burdened  with  superabundance  of  food. .  He  oftentimes, 
theref<»e,  eats  as  mudh  as  he  can  stiiff  into  his  body 
when  he  is  blessed  with  plenty,  so  as  to  be  the  betjt^ 
able  to  withstand  the  attacks  of  hunger  that  may  po»* 
idlly  be  in  store  for  him.    The  amount  that  an  lodiapa 
irill  thus  eat  at  a  sii^le  meal  is  incredible.    He  seems- 
to^  have  the  power  i^  disten^g  himsetf  for  the  recep%^ 
of  a  quantity  that  wouM  kill  a  civilized  man.    Ghildr<9^ 
in  particular,  become  like  tightly  inflated  little  baUooni^ 

ordinary  rotundity  is  very  obvious,  not  to  say  ridiculous. 


'■.-'in^"-->>.«r-^^ 


./- 


THX  BIBIAir  ^KAST. 


188 


We  cooclu4e,  therefiire,  that  Qnnsiial  pow«n  of  gor- 
^  mandking,  being  useful,  oome  at  last  $9  be  cultivated  a« 

B7  good  fertune  Dick  and  Joe  :^Ia^  happened  to 
bate  such  enormous  gluttons  as  vM-o^Nibat  the  por. 
tions  of  their  respective  bowls  which  they  could  not  do. 
vour  were  gobbled  up  for  them.  By  good  capacity  and 
digestion,  with  no  small  amount  of  effort,  Henri  nuuH 
^  aged  to  dispose  of  his  own  share ;  but  he  was  but  of 

being  done,  and  fell  in  the  savages'  esteem  gr^y. 
13ie%ay  in  which  that  sticky  eqmpost  of  boiled  maizo^ 
went  down  was  absolutely  amazing.    The  man  opposite 
Dick,  in  particular,  was  a  human  boaHxmstrictor.    He 
weU  nigh  suffi)cated  Dick  with  suppressed  hraghter. 
He  was  a  great  raw-boned  savage,  with  a  thrtwU  of  India* 
robbei^  and  went  quickly  and  quietty  on  swaUowing 
»aaM  after  mass,  with  the  8(denm  gravity  of  an  owi    It 
mattered  not  a  straw  to  him  that  Dick  took  oompaw 
titely  smaU  mouthfids,  and  neariy  choked  on  them  too 
f<irwant  of  liqnid  to  wash  them  down.     Bad  IK«]| 
^iite'liotte  at  all  he  would  have  unoomj^ainin^y  dl»l 
posed  of  the  whole.    Zwk.  the  Oiant-EiUer^ft  feats  wera 
nbthfiaf  to  his,  and  when  at  hast  the  bowl  fras  empty^  he 
stopped  short  fike  a  madiine  from  which  the  steam  had 

MMmiamm  «ii>^  aid  kid  d««n  bfej>;up^^^  t,^^ 

^^''leiii^bal "a  jd^'ifev^u*^:,^-  -n  *  - ' 

— ■•■•  ■--  Vi    ■  ^Ot 


t'^f 


*-« 


1*9* 


184 


HOWLINa  D008. 


WHf- 


I  .( 


IMck  sighed,  though  with  relief' and  gmtitade  when 
his  fcowl  was  emp^. 

"I ^ope  I  may  never  have  to  do  it  again,"  said  Joe 
that  night  as  they  wended  their  way  back  to  the  ^ieTa] 
tent  after  sapper.  « I  wouldn't  be  fit  for  any  thing  for 
a  week  arter  it." 

Ihtk  could  only  laugh,  for  any  allusion  to  the  feast 
instantljr  brought  back  that  owl-like  gourmand  to  whtMn 
he  was  so  deeply  indebted. 

'  Henri  groaned.  **Ohl  mes  boy,  I  am  speechless  J 
I  am  ready  for  bust  I  Oui,  —  Hah  I  I  veesh  it  vas  to- 1 
morrow."  '  V 

'  Hany  a  time  that  night  did  Henri  "  veesh  it  vas  to- 
morrow,"  as  he  lay  hislpless  on  his  back,  looking  up 
through  the  roof  of  the  chief's  tent  at  the  stars,  and  lis-; 
tening  enviously  to  the  plethono  snoring  of  Joe  Blunt,  fh 
He  was  entertained,  however,  duringjihose  waking: 
hours  with  a  serenade  such  aslfew  civilized  ears  evef^ 
listen  to.    This  was  nothing  else  than  a  vocal  concert 
performed  by  all  the  dogs  of  the  village,  and  as  they  > 
ainounted  to  nearly  two  thousand  the  orchestra  was  a 
pret^  full  one. 

lliese  wretdies  howled  as  if  thW  had  all  gene  mad. 
Yet  there  was  ^method  in  their\ madness,"  for  they 
congregated  in  a  crowd  before  beginning^  and  sat  down 
"^^RTth^  lifHtndteK    ^en  onendncn  se^ii^Wbfl'lilr 


u, 


//'^  .^' 


Howmro  Doos. 


136 


conductor,  raued  his  snout  to  the  sky,  and  uttered  a 
long,  low,  mehmcholy  waiL    The  others  took  it  up  by 
twos  and  threes,  until  the  whole  pack,Jiad  their  noses 
pomting  to  the  stars,  and  their  tlmmts  distended  to  the  1 
uttormost,  while  a  profe^ged  yeU  fiUed  the  air.    Then 
%t  sank  gradually,  one  or  two  (bad  performers  probably) 
making  a  yelping  attempt  to  get  it  up  again  at  the 
wrong  time.    Again  tiie  conductor  raised  his  nose,  i^d 
out  it  came— fiiU  swing.     There  was  no  vociferous 
barking.     It  wa»  simple  wolfish  howUng  increased  in 
fervot  to  an  electric  yell,  with  sbght  barks  nitaning  ooo- 
tinnously  through  it  like  an  obligato  accompaniment.       ' 

When  Crusoe  first  heard  the  unwonted  sound  he 
sprang  to  his  feet,  bristied  up  like  a  hyena,  Hiowed  aU 
his  teetii,  and  bounded  out  of  the  tent  bkzinK  with  in- 
dignation and  astonishment.  When  he  founTont  what 
it  was,  he  retnraed  quite  sleek,  and  with  a  loLk  of  pro- 
found contempt  on  his  countenance  as- he  rekumed  I^i, 
pjace  by  his  master's  side  and  went  to  sleqi. 


«'^ 


ti 


I    •     :  .    V 


\ 


■• 

!5  <■-'■■■-; 

•i       * 

\    ^    , 

f 

_  ^^^i'.i'■^ 

-.-— — -p ^ — - 

"..J^ 


■■»■":. .fT'-'"^'       1 1 


186 


X 


PKBPLKXITIU. 


^ 


r,t  — 


f T^;-^ 


*"aV\- 


I,    ■     !.!,'       ■  ■ 


■;,,it.- 


CHAPXBB  X. 


Perple^ties. — Our  Bnnten  PUn  their  EM«pe.  —  tTnezp«otod  Ixiam^' 
nii^tioii.— The  TaUea  tamed.— Cnuoeinoniiti.Giuurd.-<-TlM  TSttr 
••*••     '  ■■■  .    ,-,-,.  ■  ■  ' 

DtOK  Yablbt  sat  before  the  fire  rnminating.    We 
do  not  mean  to  assert  that  Di<&  had  been  preyioosly    t 
eating  grass.    By  no  means.    For  several  days  past  he 
had  been  mentaUy  subsisting  on  tiie  remarkable  things 
Ibit  %l&  heard  and  saw  in  the  Pawnee  village,  and  won-^ ' 
dering  how  he  was  to  get  awaj  without  being  scalped  f" 
heiilB  now  chewing  the  cod  of  this  intellectual  fiffe»>''^ 
We  therefore  repeat  emphaticaDy.^in  ease  any  reader 
should  have  presumed  to  contradict  us — that  Diekr  ' 
Varley  sat  before  the  fire  ruminating/   '-■■■■       - ;    '  ■-♦ 

Joe  Blunt  likewise  sat  by  the  fire  alon^with  him, 
ruminating  too,  and  smoking  besides.    Henri  also  sat^  i 
there  smoking,  and  looking  a  little  the  worse  of  his  hrti^ 
supper.  a^M 


«I  don't  like  the  look  o'  things,"  said  Joe,  blowhig  #'f> 
whiff  of  smoke  slowty  from  his  lips,  and  watching  ttn 


TBrk  HHceuded  into  Uie  siill  air.     "That  bhwkguawl  i 
Ufahtaim  i|deteniuned  not  to  let  as  off  1^  he  g^  ii9^> 


ra«  HxsTuuova  boxb. 


A^^ 


^^7 


ow  goods,  in*  if  he  gita  them,  he  may  M  well  toke  w  * 
■«dpB  too,  for  we  would  come  poor  ipeed  in  the  pnU|tio»^ 
without  guna,  hones,  or  gooda.'»  ^-  / 

Wok  looked  at  hi.  friend  with  M  exprewion  of  «». 
cera.    "WhafstobedoneP-aaidhe.  / 

"Ve  must  ewape,"  answered  Henri;  bat  his  tone 

was  not  a  hopeful  one,  for  he  knew  the  danger,  of  their 
portion  better  than  Dick.  .,     ,  ^  : ,,    ^,^ 

«  Ay,  we  must  ewape ;  at  least  we  must  tiy , "  said  # 
Joe,«but  III  Mke  one  more  eflTort  to  smoothe  owr 
San-it-ea^iah,  an' git  him  to  snub  that  villain  Mahtawa.* 

Just  as  he  spoke  the  villian  in  question  enteral  the 
tent  with  a  bold,  hadghly  air,  and  sat  do^  befiwe  the 

firoiosuUenaaence.    For  some  minutes  na  one  qwke, 
«nd  «ema,  who  happened  at  the  tune  to  be  examining 
the  locks  of  Dick's  rifle,  continued  to  inapoQl  t|«n  with 
«^«ppeta»nce  of  carel^B^indiflBerenoe  thiKivai.^ 
from  feeling.    -        ^TX     •        TT^^^^  ^ 
Now,  tUa  rifle  of  Dick's  had^heoajg-^  torn  «| ' 
"noewmg  wondei.  to  the  Indiana, -wonder  which  wih 
g»»«fly  increaaed  by  the  flict  that  no  one  could  d% 
«h«geJtbnthiaiael£    Diok  had,  during  his  ahort  .j^ 
at  the  Pawnee  vilfaige,  amuaed  himaelf  and  the  sayapi 
l^exhlhitfag  his  marT«lkma.poweni  with  fte  "aflfil 
»M^tgillfl»ithadbeen  won  by  him  at  tH^  mAm^rnhfa 


^__  „  Valley^  it  had  scarce  ever  bM«|, 

•IpifefcjaJiaBdfa©  t)^fce.4,i,4^h^^  decidedly  th^^ 


T 

I- 

if! 


^'ai^,^*M.ij^' 


I 


<>^ 


\'. 


188 


UAHTAVTA* 


',* 


best  shot  in  the  settlement,  could  "bark:?  sqaixreb 
(that  is,  hit  the  bark  of  the  branch  on  which  a  squii^CM^. 
happened  to  be  standing,  and  so  kill  it  by  the  concua^ 
sion  alone) j  and  could  *< drive  the  nail"  every  shot 
The  silver  rifle,  as  we  have  said,  becjune  **  great  medi- 
cine" to  the  Bed-men,  when  thej  saw  it  kill  at  a  dis- 
tance which  the  (iBw  wretched  guns  they  had  obtained 
from)  the  fur  traders  could  not  even  send  a  spent  ball 
..   ta    The  double  shot,  too,  filled  them  with  wonder  and 
,  admiration ;   but  that»  which  they  regarded  with  an 
ahnost  supernatural  feeling  of  curiosity  was  the  percus- 
sion cap,  which,iijn  JDick's  hands,  always  exploded,  but 
in  theirs  was  utipidy  iiseless  I 

This  re^t  ^  simply  owing  to  the  feet,  that  Didc 
after  fir^^  handed  the  rifle  to  the  Indians  without 
ztenewi^  the  cap.  So  that  when  they  lofided  and 
atteh^ted  to  flre,  of  course  it  merely  snapped.  When  ^ 
he  wished  again  to  fire,  he  adroitly  exchanged  the  old 
d^  for  a  new  one.  He  was  immensely  tickled  by  the 
,  solemn  looks  of  the  Indians  at  this  most  incomprehen-  '^ 
Bible  of  all  «  medicines,"  and  kept  them  for  some  ^ays 
!?  in  ignorance  of  the  true  cause,  intending  to  reveal  it 
before  he  left.  But  circumstances  now  arose  which 
banished  all  trifling  thoughts  from  lus  mind.  .,  t 

^^     Mahtawa  raised  his  head  suddenly,  and  said,  pointing 
-"ig-&e  "igvBr  rifle,"Mafatawit  wlshea  tomve  theTw^y^" 
shotted  medicine  gun.    He  will  give  his  best  hovae  in 
exchange." 


■:% 


MAHTAWA. 


189 


'«Mditawa  is  liberal,'*  answered  Joe,  "but  the  pale, 
fiiced  youth  cannot  jlart  with  it.  He  has  far  to  travel, 
and  must  shoot  buffaldes  by  the  way.** 

«The  pale-faced  youth  shall  have  a  bow  and^  arrows 
to  shoot  the  buffaTo,"  rejoined  the  Indian.   ' 

«  He  cannot  use  the  bow  and  arrow,**  answei^d  Joe ; 
"he  has  not  been  tramed  like  the  Red-man."  -  [ 

Mahtawa  was  sUenf  for  a  few  seconds,  and  his 
dark  brows  frowned  more  heavily  than  ever  over  his 
eyes. 

■  «  The.I*ale-face8  are  too  bold,"  he  exclaimed,  working 
himself  into  a  passion;  "they  are  in  the  power  of 

Mahtawa.    If  they  wiU  not  give  the  gun  he  wiU  take 
it."  © 

He  sprang  suddenly  to  his  feet  as  he  spoke,  and 
fdiMched  the  rifle  from  Henri's  h^id. 

Henri  being  ignorant  of  the  language,  had  not  been 
able  to  understand  the  foregoing  conversation,  although 
he  saw  weU  enough  that  it  was  not  an  agreeable  one, 
but  no  sooner  did  he  find  himself  thus  rudely  and  unex- 
pectedly deprived  of  the  rifle,  than  he  jumped  up, 
wrenched  it  in  a  twinkling  from  the  Indian's  grasp,  and 
hurled  hun  violently  out  of  the  tent.  j 

In  a  moment  Mahtawa  drew  his  knife,  uttered  a  sar. 
fuge  yell,  aiid  sprang  on  the  reckless  hunter,  who,  how. 


ever,  oai^t  his  wrist^  and  held  it  as  if  in  a  vice.    The 
yeU  brought  a  dozen  warriors  instantly  to  the  spot,  and 

\ 


.*.■■ 


.t  -iS^i*.^'* , 


fii^^r 


'/^•^ 


4^~ 


iliO 


XHB  BBAWjL. 


> 
i 


i*  ' 


I*  ' 


P  --- 


tnislmteiit, 


before  .Didk  had  time  to  recover  from  his 
fienri  was  surrotmided  and  pinioned  despite 
lean  straggles.  . ;   > 

Before  Dick  could  taove,  Joe  Blunt  graspedhls  _ 
%nd  whispered  Quickly,  «  Don't  rise  I  You  it  h^ 
him  1  They  daren't  kiU  him  tiU  San^tsarrishlgrees.'' 
Though  much  surprised,  Dick  obeyed,  but  it  tJwuired 
all,  his  eflRttts,  both  of  voice  and  hand,  to  control  Cru- 
soe,  whose  mind  was  much  too  honest  and  s%i^^t- 
forward  to  understand  such  subtle  pieces  of  diplomacy, 
and  who  strove  to  rush  to  the  rescue  of  his  ill-used 
friend.:  „  - 

.  When  the  tumult  had  partly  subsided,  Joe  Blunt 
rose  and  said:  — 

"Have  the  Pawnee  braves  turned  traitors  that  they 
draw  the  knife  against  those  who  have  smoked  with 
them* the  pipe  of  peace  and  eaten  their  maize?  The 
yale^&ces  are  three;  the  Pawnees  are  thousands.  If 
evU  has  been  done,  let  it  be  hud  before  the  chief 
Mahtawa  wishes  to  have  the  medicine  gun.  Although 
we  said  No,  we  could  not  part  with  it,  he  tried  to  take 
it  by  force.  Are  we  to  go  back  to  the  great  chief  of 
the  Pale-faces,  and  say  that  the  Pawnees  are  thievetf 
Are  the  Pale-facea  henceforth  to  tell  their  children  when 
they  steal,  *That  is  bad;  that  is  like  tin  Pawnee?* 

we  will  forget  this  disagreement.    Is  it  not  to  ?»  ; 


*  ». 


!.,-:*kMl. 


*HB  BRAWr. 


141 


mer0  was  an  evident  disposition  on  tlie  part  of 
»any  of  the  Indians,  witli  whom  Mahtawa  was'  no  fa- 
vonte,  to  applaud  this  speech ;  but  the  wily  chief  sprang 
forwarf,  and,  with  flashing  eye,  sought  to  turn  the  ta- 
^^■^*,-.^  •_.■-'  ^. 

Pale-face  speaks  with  soft  worfs,  but  his  heart 
Is  he  not  going  to  make  peace  with  the  ene- 
-of  the  Pawnee  ?    Is  he  not  going  to'  take  &U  to 
them,  and  make  them  gifts  and  promises  ?    The  Pale- 
feces  are  spies.    They  come  to  see  the  weakness  of  the 
Pawnee  camp,  but  they  hajre  founi  that  it  is  strong; 
Shatt  we  suffer  the  false^E^^ts  to  escape  ?    ShaU  they 
hve?    No  I  we  wiU  hang  their  scalps  in  our  wigwams, 
for  they  have  struck  a  chief,  and  we  will  keep  aU  their 
goods  for  our  squaws  —  wah  I  '* 
^  This  aUusion  to  keeping  all  the  goods  had  more  effect 
on  the  minds  of  the  vacillating  savages  than  the  ciier. 
etequenoe.    But  a  new  turn  was  given  to  their  thoughts 
by  Joe  Blunt  remarking  in  a  quiet,  ahnost  contemptuous 
tone: —  -^ 

«  Mahtawa  is  not  the  gnat  chief." 

"True,  true,"  they  cried,  and  immediately  hurried  to 
the,tentof  San-itaa-iish.       '- 
J)nce  again  this  chief  stood  between  the  hunter,  and 
»•  tfti^gcfl,  who  wanted  but  a  sis 


TBerewasalongpalaveri  wWch  ended  in  Bjnri  boimr 
set  at  liberty,  and  the  rifle  being  restored.  •' 


»  '  •'! 


i-jlteyh 


i'h. 


•-'VI    S"^'-i,*i-fcic'.'ft,(,Ts, .•",'■   <."nirsM^5 


"  ) 


4 

142 


CI»TIOAX  MOVENTS. 


r    * 


I- 


i'f^'' 


f.^^^-- 


i;'* 


That  eyening,  as  the  three  friends  sat  beside  their  fire, 
eating  their  supper  of  boiled  maize  and  boffolo  meatj 
they  laughed  and  talked  as  carelessly  as  ever;  but  the 
gaiety  was  assumed,  for  they  were  at  the  time  planning 
Ifceir  escape  from  a  tribe  which,  they  foresaw,  would  not 
long  refrain  from  carrying  out  their  wishes,  and  robbmg, 
perhaps  murdering  them.  '       .     * 

^Ye  see,"  said  Joe,  with  a  perplexed  air,  while  he 

drew  a  piece  of  live  charco&l  from  the  fire  with  his  fin- 

^    .  g««>  and  lighted  his  pipe,  —  «  ye  see,  there's  more  diffi- 

\:   ^culties  in  the  way  o'  gettm'  oflF  than  ye  think- ^** 

«  Oh  1  nivare  nund  de  difficulties,"  interrupted  Henri, 
,^  whose  wrath  at  the  treatment  he  had  received  had  not 
yet  cooled  down.  "  Ve  mlust  jump  on  de  best  hoises 
ve  can  git  hold,  shake  our  fist  at  de  red  reptiles,  and 
go  away  fast  as  ve  can.  De  best  boss  mutt  vin  de 
race.'' 

Joe  shook  his  .head.  « A  hundred  arrows  would  be 
in  our  backs  before  we  got  twenty  yards  from  the  camp. 
Besides,  we  can't  teU  which  are  the  best  horses.  Our 
own  are  the  best  in  my  'pinion,  but  how  are  we  to  git 
*ein?"  t 

"I  know  who  has  charge  o'  them,"  said  Dick;  "I 
-saw  them  grazing  near  the  tent.o'  that  poor  squaw 
whose  baby  was  saved  by  Crusoe.    Either  her  husband 
I  or  flome  neighbor*! 


"Thafs'well,"  said  Joe.    "That's  one  o'  my  diffi- 
culties gone."  '  ,; 


■ua 


iih. 


. .  ^^i-tMn.  ^ 


,    i .', 


PI>AN8  OF  K8CAPS.. 


148 


V  What  are  the  o^hew?"  , 

,,f  Well,4>e  see,  they're  troublesome.  We  can't  git 
the  htima  oat  o'  caiQp  without  bein'  seen,  for  the  red 
nwcab  would  «e^  what  we  were  at  in  a  jiffy.  Then,  if 
we  do  git  'ejn  out,  we  cap't  go  off  without  our  baies^ 
an'  we  needn't  think  to  take  'em  from  under  the  riose^ 
o'  the  chief  and  his  squaws  without  bein' axed  i^ues^ 
tions.    To  go  off  without  them  would  niverdo  at 

«  Joe,"  said  Dick,  eamesl^j,  «  Tye  hit  on  a  plan." 
«  Have  ye,  I^ick,  what  is'i  ?" 
,   "Corne  and  111  let  ye  see,';  answered- Pick^  rising^ 
ha^yand  quitting  the  tent, foUowed  b^his^jomrade* 
and  his  faithful  dog.  ,  '"      "' 

It  may  be  as  well  to  remark  here,  that  no  wstra^t 
whatever  had  yet  been  put  on  tho  movements  of  our  ' 
'  l»"nters  as  long  as  they  kept  to'  their  leg8,.for  it  wiia 
well  known  that  any  attempt  By  men  on  ^oot  to  escape 
^  mounted  Indiana  on  the  plains  would  be  hopeless. 

M#eove^,  the  savages  thought  that  a^  long  as  there  was    * 
a  prospect  of  their  being^  allowed  to  depart  peaceably 
#ith  their  goods,  they  would  not  be  sp^jnad  as  to  fl>x— 
from  the  camp,and,^8o  doing,  risk  their  Jivesfi^d 
declare  war  with  their  entertained^    They  Jwd,  tlLre- 
fwe,  been  permitted  to  wander  unchecked,  as  yelw 


.'^ 


« 


the  ontBiaMs  of  the  aunp,  and  amuse  themselves 
&I  paddling  about  the  lake  in  the  smaU  Indian  canod^ 
and  shooting- wild-fowL 


>iii.,ji'i;leJf*.'i 


;,■»'  • 


i.ii  '■ 


r'jpr^i^r^f" 


144 


PI.AM8  OF  «80APB. 


h    c 


Dick  now  led  flx.  w.y  too»gb  the  W.yr*to  rf 
^  to  ft.  direc^m  rfWU,,  «.d^ey  ""«4  •»* 

Uugh«l  loudly,  -.dwhWed  «,  Crusoe  »  4oy  w«* 
.>.rdertop«ve»tt»eirpunK»el«tog.u.pec.ed.    For 

.^  purpo*'  of  further  di«rmiBg  »u.pio«.»  they  ''«»' 
^ftSCrMe*,  DickexpM.edbi.pl«.>7a.ew.y. 
^  i.,„  ..  oucew»iul7  .pprovedof  by  lu,  eomrad^. 
On  reedung  Uxe  take  they  hunehed  .  suuUl  «u«e, 
into  whi*  Crusoe  w«s  ordered  to  jump;  theu,  em- 
tarktog,  they  paddled  swiMy  to  fte  opp^ite  .hore,  »u«- 
U,g  .  c«.oe  eoug  as  ttey  dipped  thrir  p.d^  -  Ae 
u;,riit  wtore  of  a.e  take.    Arrivrf  at  the  other  «^e^ 
ftey  hauled  the  «uk«  up  aad  hurried  thr<«gh  the  itm  . 
belt  of  wood  «.d  willows  that  iutorveued  hetweeu  »he 
Uke  and  the  prairie.    Here  they  paused.. 
"IslhattheWuf^Joe?"  ,„^x^ 

.No,  Dick,  tha.?.  too  near.  '^'•""''^^^ 
4to  away  to  the  right.  If.  a  Me  on^aud  th«.. 
ofter,  uL  it    The  sharp  eyes  o>  the  Eed.sk.u.  wou . 

be«,likelytohep«>"'in'«hett.»  ._.,„,. 

.  Cou«  ou,  then ,  but  wrfU  have  t.  take  down  by  the 

'^toTLmtoute.  th.  hunterswer.  thr«^g  tt«^ 
wayttaough  the  outddrteot  the  wood  •'««P'*^ 

Jth.  JiU  aire,'^  ■*'"'^'";f-,"rS 
k«|l,whiA  tbeywfifie«To«»>li.  '*",'^_*""* 
p^g^d»«ldh.y.Hlowedthea.    I.,u^«( 


•S'i 


.I  t=". 


PLANS  OF  ESCAPE.  145 

an  hour  they  turned  at  right  angles  to  their  track,  and 

struck  straight  out  into  the  prairie,  and  after  a  long  run 

they  edged- round  and  came  in  upon  the  bluff  from 

-N  behmd.    It  was  merely  a  collection  of  stmited,  but 

'-<^  thick-growing  willows.  _, 

'Forcing  their  way  into  the  centre  of  this  they  began 
.'  to  examine  it.         -         '  r- 

"It'll  do,"  said  Joe.  ,.  ,  . 

«  De  very  ting,"  remarked  Henri. 
"Come  here,  Crusoe." 

his  feT'  ^"^"^'^  **"  ^  ""iter's  sid^d  looked  up  in 

"  I-ook  at  this  phice,,pup ;  smfell  It  weD." 
^    Crusoe  instantly  set  off  all  round  among  the  wiDows, 
in  and  out,  snuffifag  everywhere,  and  whming  With  excite- 
ment. 

"Come  here,  good  pup;  that  will  da    Now,  bids,  ' 
weUgoback."    So  saying,  Dick  and  his  friends  left  the    - 
W^and  retraced  their  steps  to  the  camp.    Before  Oiey 
had  gone  far,  however,  Joe  halted,  and  said,-     -      • 

l^f  ^' ^^'^' '^°"^' ^^  *^«  P"P'«  «>  <^ver  as 
ye  AmL    What  if  he  don't  quite  onderstand  ye?- 

Dick  reiOied  fey  taking  off  his  cap  and  thitudng  it 
down,  at  the  same  time  exdaiming,  "Take  it  yondeh 
^p,  and  pointing  with  his  hand  towards  the  hlnff. 
■^MMh^rm^  cap, and  went  off  with ¥at  fWI 
«peed  towards  the  wiUows,  where  it  left  it,  and  came 

13 


7 


/ 


V 


)}i^^S  i*-^^  ^-j^iCSSi^^j 


^  .   If-lff  A 


i 


•  t 


* 


'^ 


i: 


146 


PLANS  OF  E80AFB. 


gaUoping  back.for  the  expected  reward— not  now.as  in 
days  of  old,  a  bit  m  mea*,  but— a  gentle  stroke  of  ite 
head  and  a  hearty  dap  on  its  shaggy  Mde. 

«  Good  pup,  go  now  wH  fetch  it." 

Away  he  went  with  a  bound,  and,  in  a  few  seconds, 
came  hf^   and  dep<*ited   the   cap  at  his   master's 

feet. 
«  Will  that  do  ?"  asked  Dick,  triumphantly. 

«Ay.  lad,  it  will    The  pup's  worth  its  weight  in 

godid." 

«Oui,  I  have  said,^d  I  say  it  agen,  de  dog  is  hu- 
»wn,  80  him  is.    If  not— fat  am  he?*'  ^ 

Wilhout  pausing  to  reply  to  this  perplexing  question, 
Dick  stepped  forward  again,  and  in  half  an  hour  or  so 
they  were  back  in  the  camp. 

«Now  for  your  part  of  the  work,  Joe  j  yonder's  the 
squaw  that  owns  the  half-drowned  baby.    Every  thing 

depends  on  her." 
-     Dick  pointed  to  the  Indian  womto  as  lie  spoke.'    She 

y,BB  sitting  beside  her  tent,  and,  playing  at  her  knee, 
was  the  identical  youngster  who  had  been  saved  by 

Crusoe. 

uTH  manage  it,"  said  Joe,  and  walked  towards  Imt, 
while  Dick  and  Henri  returned  to  the  chief's  tent.>      • 

«itoe»  the  Pawnee  woman  Ihank  the  Great  Sprit 


^|^^B|4b  Bat^rr^belpi^s^  w4rcaa»^ 

^       answered  the  woman,  looking  up  a* 


M 
" 


■r 


l.'TS 


A   VBIEirD, 


147 


After  a  short  sUence  Joe  continued— 

Solff  f  T  "^''^  '°  "*^'  ^«^«  the  Pale^W 
Some  of  them  hate  them."  , 

Hi.  ™.  „M.^  i„  .  „,  to..,  «ri  ^a, .  n^ 

glance  of  the  eye.  ««^« 

^  Joe  hesitated  again-oould  he  troat  her?    Yes j  tl^^  ' 

r     T  ""  *^'  ""^  J°«'  ^^^-^^  were 

^^^^''^"«^>-^««^dewa3tooftUlflr^ 

'-^^Dark  tteWe^'  said  Joe,  .tehi^  ehe 

opens  his  heart  to  her  ?    Wju  «),«  „„t  ♦!. 

nationr  *^»"  ^he  nsk  the  angw  of  bar 

**   *•-  -^U,"  replied  the  woman! 


:;  ,^3 


she  can: 


'she  will  do  whM 


n  '"^s  '^■■i  ■'»;.& 


edthnt 
slamliL 


»p.a7_m  «.  unto-  tone.    I,  ^  «»%  «««,«d 
<n  a  ffiTeti  ilnv  a*  .  ^ L.«     <  ■:■  ^ 


Z*!r^  ^ *^ *  "^"^  ^^r^^mmin 


*WB  the  shores  dr  the  lako 


ib 


duy^ 


*   ri«A 


«>  titp  it  *'^     i  u^^~jm' 


'r-T- 


\ 


w 


/ 


f.-  - 


'■; 


■, 


^-.- 


I 

148 


....^„V;;,.,. 


^ 


PSBPABATIONS. 


it!  lower  esAf  aa  if  Blie  were  going  tat  flre-Woiod,  iWik 
cro88  the  creek  at  the  ford,  and  diive  them  to  the 
willow  bluff,  and  guard  them  till  the  hanters  should  ar- 
rive. 

Having  settled  this,  Joe  returned  to  the  tent  and  ht* 
formed  his  comrades  of  his  success. 

DnruQg  the  next  three  days  Joe  kept  the  Indians 
in  good  humor,  by  giving  them  one  or  two  trinkets,  and 
speaking  in  glowing  terms  of  the  riches  of  the  white 
men,  add  the  readiness  with  ^ich  they  would  part 
with  them  to  the  savages  if  they  would  only  make 
peace. 

Meanwhile,  during  the  dark  hours  of  each  sight 
Dick  soanaged  to  abstract  small  quantities  of  gooAs 
from  their  pack,  in  room  of  which  he  stuffed  in  pieces 
of  leather  to  keep  up  the  size  and  appearance.  The 
goods  thus  taken  out  he  concealed  about  his  .person,  and 
went  off  with  a  careless  swagger  to  the  outdurts  of  the 
village,  with  Crusoe  at  his  heels.  Arrived  there,  h6 
'  tied  the  goods  in  a  small  piece  of  deerskin,  and  gave  the 
bundle  to  4he  dog,  with  the  injunction, "  Take  it  ponder, 
pup."  "■■^ 

Gmsoe  took  it  up  at  once,  darted  off  at  frill  speed 
with  the  bundle  in  his  mouth,  down  the  shore  of  the 
lake  towards  the  ford  of  the  river,  and  vms  soon  lost  to 


.%<^. 


-Tr- 


X 


y  <t 


j^'^'m 


^fi^ 


^f^w;:^^ 


- 


PBBPAiunoirs. 


/' 


m 


▼eyed  by  the  feithfW  dog  to  the  ^rilto^blnff  «,d  left 

thwe,  wlule  the  rtuffed  pack  .tUl  remained  in  safe  kwD. 
ing  in  "the  chief's  tent    ..  j,.  \ 

Joe  did  not  at  first  like  the  idea  of  thus  sneaking  off 

from  the  camp ;  and  more  than  once  made  strong  efforts 
to  induce  San-it^rish  to  let  him  go,  bat  even  that 
chief's  countenance  was  not  so  foyoiable  as  it  had  been. 
It  was  ^lear  that  he  could  «of  make  up  his  mind  to  let 
^P  80  good  a  chance  pf  obtaining  gims,  powder,  and 
•hot,  horses  and  goods,  Without  any  trouble;   so  Joe 
made  up  his  mind  to  give  them  the  slip  at  once. 
^  A  dark  night  was  choserf  for  the  attempt,  and  the 
Indmn  woman  went  pff  With  the  horaes  to  %  pi|k» 
where  firewood  for  the  camp  was  usuaUy  c«r  Unfor. 
tmiately  the  suspicioir  of  that  .ply  savage  Mahtawa  had 
been  awakened,  and  h^.,tack  ctose  to  the  hunters  aU 
day-not  knowingwhat  was  going  on,  but  feeling  con- 
vinced that  sbmething  was  brewing  whi<^  he  resolved 
to  watch,  without  mentiqSing  his  sospicions  to  any 
ope,  ^  .  -^    , 

/    "I  think  that  vilhun's  away  at  last,"  ^er^d  Jbe " 
tohis  comrades;  «it'stime  to  go.  lads,  the  moon  won't 
be  up  for  an  hour.    Come  along." 

"Have  ye  got  the  big  powder  l»m,  Joe?"    '*''  ' 
<i  "-AyjayjaUright,",    ^-    .        , 

■  "  ^^^  ^  "^"I>  ^  »y  fa»%  jy  cMmeaar"  Ah  i  hewi  it  ^ 
be.    Now,  boy."  ". 

■,'-''        '  ■  .      r  ■  '  -I  ■  ■      -  • 


«.  e«  ■ ,  J         - 


K 


Jti'i^X^,- 


t-i^ 


'A 


.li>  -sAL 


:.z,_ _ 


V 


▲K  USTEJUPXOTBD  IMTKBRlTPTIOir. 


I?-     »w_ 


The  three  set  off  as^usiuJ,  Btrolling  oireiessly  to  the 
outskirts  of  the  camp ;  then  thej  quickened  their  pace, 
and,  gaining  the  lake,  pushed  off  in  a  snudl  cano6» 

At  the  same  moment  Mahtawa  stepped  from  the 
bushes,  leaped  into  another  canoe  and  followed  them. 
j^,<*HahI  he  must  die,"  mattered  Henri. 

"Not  at  aU,"  said  Joe,  "we'U  manage  him  w&ont 

'The  chief  landed  and  strode  boldly  up  to^theib,  fbr 
he  knew  well  that  whatever  their  p'urpose  might  be, 
they  would  not  venture  to  use  their  rifles  within  sound 
of  the  camp  at  that  hour  of  the  night;  aa'for  their 
knives,  he  could  traist  to  his  own  active  limbs  and  the 
woods  to  escape  and  give  the  alarm  if  need  be. 

"The  Pale-faces  hunt  very  late,"  he  said  with  a  mali- 
cious grin.  "Do  they  love  the  dark  better  thim  the 
sunshine?" 

"Not  Bo»"  repUed  Joe,  coolly,  «but  we  love  to  walk  ^ 
.by  the  light  of  the  moon.    It  will  be  up  in  less  than 
an  hour,  and*  we  mean  to  take  a  long  ramble  to- 
night" ■  ■  —V-       ■'   -,  ■-^■^.^:v-'^»       ., 

^  ^The-  Pawhee  „chief  loves  to  walk  by  the  moon  too, 
he  will  go  with  the  Pale-faces,"        .      ■  .    i    V    ,< 

"  Good,"^  ejaculated  Joe.    «  Come  along,  then."      "  ' - 
The  party  iottnediately  set  forward,  although  the 

^faMfficprisa  at-  tfeHndafei 


•way  in  which  Joe  received  his  pn>|)08al  to  accompany 


■V-  • 


;■ 


1 

e 

•» 

0 

A 

■J, 

Ai 
« 

,^'         ■■■■:■/ 

i-    I     I'afear** 


',  SC' 


'tT*?" 


/*^_/  ,* 


"1!;^ 


to  the 

rpace, 

u 

m  the 

em. 

vithont 

3m,  finr 

;ht  be, 

sound 

r  their 

ind  the 

imaU- 

tm  the 

»  walk  ^ 
3  than 

»le  to- 

mtoo, 

h  the        i 

^Ttagi '• 

M^^HTAWA  SBIZXD. 


ilit 


ever,  and  then  ^idoped.-       - 

«      Joe  reDlie^HMU^l^L.^*   - 1. 
•f"™"  "-v  Brought  U.,P.w^,^„,^* 

by  fte  Whk,  en,bn.«o  of  Henri.  wwB  MA  tie* 
:  ta^o«hief  qnicUy  ^.  ^^  «.nnd  hi.  ij»a,  n. 
"bote  ft««  w„  «^fM»i  in  ,w.  ..i„.te..  -^ 
^g  b»  knife  «„,  .an»h.wk  .wv  aey  ,„.«^^ 
gnpe  «»i  e»orted  him  «iftly  .v„  U„  p„jrt.,     ,.—* 

"tae..n.ggiew«,;ver.    Hekne|||Ji^X 
walked  0.  e«h  side  of  hin  g™.^  ^^ 

Hori^g  ita  to  .  dtop  of  «n«n  tree,  on.fte  p4 
*y^  %aiwd  Hen4  in  fttone  < 


■(? 


// 


/, 


7./W 


^4fi<if  he  be 
jsommisei^tifla 


■/' 


^-■-;>' 


'■^■m^-. 


A 


7 


/"/. 


•/A- 


vrf-iO^J 


.^v 


'^:^  ^^ 


0 


152 


CBUSOB  M0WT8  euABD. 


"Not  at  ali,"  answered  Joe,  «  we'll  tie  Mm  to  a  tree 
Wid  leave  him  there." 

-  « Then  he  vill  be  starve  to  deaf.    Oh  J  dat  is  more 

horrobell  I " 

^  ;'^e  must  take  his  chance  0' that.    I've  no  doubt  his 

fnends  '11  fi„d  him  in  a  day  or  two,  an.'  he's  game  to 
last  for  a  ^eek  or  more,  ^ut  you'U  have  to  run  to  the 
^mot-bluff,  Dick,  and  bring  a  bit  of  line  to  tie  him. 
We  can  t  spare  it  weU ;  but  there's  no  help." 

'"But  there  «  help,"  retorted  Dick.    «  Just  order  a,e 
viUam  to  dimb  into  that  tree." 

"Why  so,  lad?" 

<'  Don't  ask  questions,  but  do  what  I  bid  ye." 

The  hunter  smiled  for  a  moment  as  he  tumed  to 
the  Indian,  and  ordered  him  to  climb  up  a  smaU  tree 
near  to  ^Weh  he  stood.  Mahtawa  looked  suiprised, 
^at  tixere  was  no  alternative.  Joe's  authoritative  tone 
J«K,ked  no  delay,  so  he  sprang  into  the  tree  like  a  mon- 
key.   •  „  T  ^ 

«  Crusoe/'  JLd  Dick,  « tcatch  him  !  » '"' 
ITie  db#  sat  quietly  down  at  the  foot  of  the  tree,  and 
jBxed  his  eyes  on  the  savage  with  a  glare  that  spoke  un-  - 
ut^x^ble  things.     At  the  same  time  he.IUsph.yed  his 
#   ^U  comphment  of  teeth,  and  uttered  a  sound  like  dia- 
tant  thunder.  * 

m      Jog  ahnost  laughed,  and  Hem-i  did  laugh  outriirhL  ' 


J 


«» 


to  a  tree 

is  more 

loubt  his 
game  to 
n  to  the 
tie  him. 

rdetrtiie 


lied  to 
iO.  tree 
prised, 
e  tone 
imon- 


e,  and 
ie  uin- 
;d  his 
:e  dis- . 


h  - 


bk: 


4^ 


r- 


THB  ESCAPE.  jgj 

"Come  along^s  safe  now,"  cried  1)4,  hurrnnir 
away  in  the  direction  of  the  wiUow-bluff,  which  they 
soon  reached,  and  found  that  the  faithful  squaw  had 
tied  their  steeds  to  the  bushes,  and,  moreover,  had  bun- 
died  up  their  goods  into  a  pack,  and  stmpped  it  on  the 
back  of  the  pack-horse ;  but  she  had  not  remamed  with 
them. 

"Bless  yer  dark  face,"  ejaculated  Joe,  as  he  sprang 
mto  the  saddle  and  rode  out  of  the  clump  of  bushes 
He  was  foUowed  immediately  by  the  others,  and  in   : 
„  three  miniites  they  were  flying  over  the  plain  at  full 

Oo  gaining  the  last  far  off  ridge,  th«  afforded  . 
d^tant  ™w  of  th"e  woids  slurting  «,e  Pawnee  «„„- 
y  drew  up,  and  Dick,  patting  his  flnge«  to  hi.  niouiT 
draw  a  lo4g,  shriU  whistle. 

It  reached  the  willow-bliiff  like  a  faint  echo.  At  the 
»me  moment  the  mooi  a^se  and  aoreolearly  revealed 
Crasoe  ,  catalyplio  glare  at  the  Indian  chief,  who  bring 

-TVT7:f'  ™  "  ""  "^^  '»'^-    The  inshmt 
Ae  wh^tle  fell  on  his  ear,  however,  he  dropped  hi.  eye..    ' 
ooveraj^  hi.  teeth,  and  l«.pin,  through  ^^CC 
Z,^  ^ain.  hke  ^  ^„.    ^t  the  .am,  i^tant 
M«^*™,  d^oendlng  from  his  troe,  ran  a.  f..t  a.  he 


Wfc*  when  near  enongh  to  he  heart.    No«,„nd«nd. 
".chau-rdlthronghanlndtancamp.    Eveiy warrior 


mik 


tf 


\ 


m 


THK  ESCAPE. 


flew  to  anns,  and  vaulted  on  his  steed.  So  qnlckly  was 
the  alarm  given  that  in  less  thap  ten  minutes  a  thousand 
hoofs  were  thundering  on  the  plain,  and  faintly  reached 
the  ears  of  the  fugitives. 

Joe  smiled.    "It^II  puzzle  them  to  come  up  wi' nags 
like  ours.    They're  in  prime  condition  too,  lots  o'  wind 
in  'em.    If  we  only  keep  out  o'  badger  holes  we  may 
.  laugh  at  the  red  varmints." 

^oe's  opinion  of  Indian  horses  was  correct.  In  a  very 
few  minutes  the  sound  of  hoofs  died  away,  but  the  fugi- 
lives  did  not  draw  bridle  during  the  remainder  of  that 
night,  for  they  knew  not  how  long  the  pursuit  might  be 
continued.  By  pond,  and  brook,  and  bluff  they  passed, 
down  in  the  grassy  bottoms,  and  over  the  prairie 
waves, -nor  checked  their  headlong  course  till  the  sun 
blazed  over  the  level  sweep  of  the  eastern  phun  as  if  it 
«ro8e  out  of  the  mighty  ocean. 

Then  they  sprang  from  the  saddle  and  hastily  set 
about  the  preparation  of  their  morning  meal. 


4? 


■I  '*, 


'f: 


>5«    \. 


>  TP^y^iF""^-.-^w" 


J.  -H,' ' 


i 


BEST. 


••S^ 


t 


1S5 


l^ 


* 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Erenlng  Meditations  and  Monung  Eeflectiomi.- Buffaloes,  Badgew. 

Antelopes,  and  Accidents— An  old  Bull  and  the  Wolves. -"Mad- 
tails."— Henri  flo«|od,  etc. 

There  is  nothing  tt  prepares  one  so  weU  for  the 
enjoyment  of  rest,  both  men^  and  physical,  as  a  long- 
protraeted,  period  of  excitement  and  anxiety,  follow!^ 
up  by  bodily  fatigue.    Excitement  alone  banishes  rest ; 
but,  united  with  severe  physical  exertion,  it  prepares' 
for  it.    At  least,  courteous  ^reader,  this  is  our  experi- 
ence, and  certainly  this  was  the  experience  of  our  three  V 
hunters  as  they  lay  on  their  backsieneath  the  benches 
of  a  willow  bush,  and  gazed  serenely  up  at  the  twink- 
ling stars,  two  d^ys  after  their  escap^^from  the  Indian 
village. 

They  spoke  litUe ;  they  were  too  tired  for  that ;  also 
they  were  too 'comfortable.  Their  4pective 'suppers' 
of  fresh  antelope  steak,  shot  that  day,  had  just  been  dis- 
posed of  J  their  feet  were  directed  towards  the  smaU 
Are  on  which  the  said  steal^  had  been  conk^,  ,,^ 
irffich  sfiinhrew  a  warm,  ruddy  glow  over  the  enaimpi 
ment.   Their  blankets  were  wrapped  comfortably  round 


m .  r>%  -^ 


I 


",•     ^-^ 


r--,*» 


166 


y 


S«9T. 


thein,  and^iiucked  in  as  only  hunters  and  mothere  jknow 
hmhio  tucKv^em  in.    Their  respective  pipes  delivered 
forth,  at  ^^ted  intervals,  three  richly  yellow  piiffs  of 
smoke,  as  if  a.three-gun  battery  were  playing  upon  the 
sky  f^  tWpt  particular  spot  of  earth.     The  horses 
were  picketted  and  hobbled  in  a  rich  grassy  bottom  close 
by,  from  which  the  quiet  munch  of  their  equuie  jaws 
sounded  pleasanfly,  for  l|  told  of  healtfcy^appetites^  and 
promised  speed  on  the  morrow.     The  fear  of  being 
overtaken  during  the  night  was  now  passed,  ahd  the 
faithfbl  Crusoe,  by  virtue  of  sight,  hearing,  and  smell, 
guaranteed  them  against  sudden  attack  during  the  hours 
of  slumber.    A  perfume  of  wild  flowers  mingled  with 
the  loved  odors  of  the  «  weed,"  and  the  tinkle  of  a  tiny  . 
rivulet  fell  sweetly  on  their  ears.    In  short,  the  "Pale- 
faces "  were  supremely  happy,  and  disposed  to  be  thank- 
ful for^ffieirrecent  deliverance  and  their  present  com- 
forts. 

"I  wonder  what  the  stars 'we,"  said  Dick,'languidly 
taking  the  pipe  out  of  his  mouth. 

"  Bits  o'  fire,"  suggested  Joe. 

"I  tink  dey  are  vorlds,"  muttered  Henri,  "an'  have 
peepels  in  dem.    I  have  hear  men  say  dat." 

A  long  silence  followed,  during  which,  no  doubt,  "the 
star-gazers  were  working-out  various  theories  in  ihteir 
own  minds. 


«  Wonder,"  said  Dick  again,  «  how  far  off  they  be." 


,f-».' 


BK8T. 


p. 

W7 


■< 


"A  inile  or  two,  maybe,"  said  Joe.  . 

Henri  was  -about  to  laugh  sarcastically  at  thisj  but, 
,  on  further  consideration,  he  thought  it  would  be'^ore 
Comfortable  not  to,  so  he  lay  stilL  In  another  minpte 
*   he  said, —  •  , 

«  Joe  Blunt,  ydu  is  ver"  igrant.    Don't  you  know  dat 
.    de  books  say  de  stars  be  hondreds,  lousands,  —  oh  I 
milleryons  of  mile  away  to  here,  and  dat  de  is  mor« 
^    bigger  dan  dis  vorld?" 

Joe  snored  hghtly,  and  his  pipe  feU  out  of  his  month 
at  this  point,  so  the  conversation  dropped.    Presentiy      ' 
IMck  asked,  in  a  low  tow, "  I  say,  Henri,  are  ye  asleep? "    ,  < 
«Oui,"  replied  Henri,  faintiy.    «  Don't  speak,  or  yoif 
J' vill  vaken  me."  i 

«  Ah  I  Crusoe," you're  not  asleep,  are  Jrou,  pup?"  No 
need  to  ask  that  question.  The  instantaneous  ^^wg  of 
ihat  speaking  tail,  and  the  glance  of  th^  wak^^ye, 
as  the  d«^g  lifl^'his  head  and  laid  his  chin  on  Dick's 

'arm,  showed  that  he  had  been  listening  to  eveiy  word 
that  was  spoken.  We  M^t  say  whether  he  under- 
stood it,  but  beyo»>»U  dol^he  heard  it,,  i|jMoe,n«op 

^presumed  to  think  of  going  to  sledp  u^Q^  tju^ 
was  sound  as  a  top;  then  h6  ventured  to  indulge  in 
that  light  species  of  slumber  which  is  femiliarly  knQwn'  f ' 

aa.^'sleeping  with  one  eye  c^^ten."    But,  comparatively,      . 


as  welT  as  figuratively  spedung,  Crusoe  dept  usuaHy 


1 


"'^     "^ 


i% 


168 
Wi&.oii 


^„ 


h» 


i^ 


">■ 


T€lr7  tigiffij  shot 
iduaU^r  JJSqk's  pipeifel} 

|o|jf,  ?nrith  an  exercise  of  instinct  almolt,  if 
lounting  to  reasony  regarded  as  a  signal  for, 
off.    The  camp  fire  weal  slowly  out,  the  stars 
t^ii'ti9li|i04  down  ki  their  reflectbn»  j|li  the  brook,  and  a 
,  deep  breathing  of  wearied  men  wi^^e  only  sound  that 
lose  in  harmony  with  the  purling  str«n. 
\  ^BeifOTe  the  sun  rose  next  morning  imd  while  many 
of  the  brighter  stars  were  still  atruggBug  for  existence 
with  tlie  approaching  day,  Joe  was  up  and  buckling  on 
the  saddle-bags,  vhile  he  shouted  to  his  unwilling  com- 
panions to  rise.  '        /"       .     .  "^     1 
1^  "  If  It  ,di^pended,  on  you,"  he  said,  .<<  the  Pawnees 
wouldn't  "he  long  afore  they  got  our  scalps.    Jump,  ye 
dogs,  aii*  lend  a  hand,  will  ye  1 "  , 
A  snore  from  Dick  and  a  deep  sigh  from  Henn  was 
the  answer  to  this  pathetic  appeal.     It  so  happened, 
howevier,  that  Henri's  pipe,  in  falling  from  his  lips,  had^ 
emptied  the  ashes  jiisf  under  his  nose,  so  that  die  sigh 
referred  to  drew  a  qutmtity  therecrf  igUthiw  throaty  and 


almost  choked  him.    Kothing  co 

tive  awaketier.    He  was 

Bronsly>    Most  men  1^' 


It  oft  8om»  on^ 


been  a  mord 

&t  coughing 

ncy  to,  Ycnl  ill- 


V 


-Ih:  Y^*-:  «•- 


«     ^  f     t^-^-*    \  i^'i'*.A^Aj 


Ijlf 


I   t-»- 


t 


BADOEB  QOL^S.  * 


169 


whom  thoy  deem  to  be  worse  than  themselves.  Henri, 
therefore,  instead  of  growling  at  Joe  for  rousing  him, 
scolded  Dick  for  not  rising. 

.  «Ha,  mauvais  dog!  bad  chien,  vill  you  dare  to  look 
to  me  ? "      ,       '  '  .     ^ 

Crusoe  did  look  With  amiable  placidity,  as  though  to 
say,  "Howi  away,  old  bdy,I-  won't  budge  tiU  Dick 
does."  ■ 

With  a  mighty  effort  Giant  Slfeep  was  thrown  off  at 
last,  and  thq  hunters  were  once  more  on  their  journey, 
cantering  lightly  over  the^  turf. 

«HoI  let's  have  a  run,"  cried  Dick,  unable  to  re- 
press the  feelings  aroused  by  the  exhilarating  morning 
air.  !    ■  ■      ' 

«  Have  a  care,  boy,"  cried  Joe,  as  they  stretched  opt 

at  m  plop.    T^Keep  off  the  ridge;  it's  riddled  wi' 

badger'—    Hah\l -I  thought  so." 

At  that  nfomeAt  Disk's  horse  put  its  foot  into  a  bad- ' 

gei>hole,.an4  turAed  completely  over,  sendltag  its  rider 

through  t^^  air^  curve  that  an  East.  Indian  acrobat 

^^  *^®^W?  'r^P"^  a  few  seconds  Dick  lay  flat  ob 

m;  thetM  ^ed  up  and  laughed,  whUe  his   ^ 

Icomredeshurrie^ii)  anxiously  to  his  assistance.         1 
'     "No  boles  brokep"ii^qu^  Joe,     .  ^   / 

Dick  gajp  a  hysterical  gasp.    ««lHl 


ftef 


r  think  not^ 


good  lack.    Ye  ^^id^iiver  go  Mp  through  a  badg^  '^ 


's^.»-<^. 


^^ 


5.  i»  k^:-,. 


.  t 


I* 


>' 


*  1  WHlJWi'W^'l 


\ 


1^ 


10 


THE  AKTESLOPE  0BA8E. 


country  like  thlit,  boy;  always  keep  i'  tlie  Ibottonu, 
where  the  grass[is  short.  Now  then,  up  ye  go.  .  That's 
it!"  '  •  \ 

Dick  remounted,  though  not  with  ^uite  so  elastic 
spring  as  usual,  and  they  pushed  forward  at  ^more  rea- 
sonable pace.  ; 

Accidents  of  this  kind'ure  of  common  occurrence  in 
thiB  prairies.  Some  horses,  however,  are  so  well  trained 
that  they  look  sharp  out  for  these  holes,  which  are. gen- 
erally found  to  be  most  numerous  on  the  high  and  dry 
grounds.  But  in  spite  of  all  the  caution  both  of  maft^ 
and  horse,  many  ugly  falls  take  place,  and  sometimes 
bones  are  broken.     ..  - 

They  had  not  gone  far  after  this  i^pident,  when  an 
antelope  leaped  from  a  clump  of  wiUows  and  made  for 
a  belt  of  woodland  that  lay  along  the  margin  of  a  stream 
not  half  a  mile  off.  '  ,.  « 

'*  Hurrah ! "  cried  Dick;  forgetting  ^s  recent,  fall. 
"Come  along,  Crusoe."  And  away  they  went  again 
full  til^  for  the  horse  had  not  been  injured  by  its  somer* 
sault.  \ 

l^he  antelope  which  Dick  was  thus  yildly  pursumg' 
was  of  the  same  species  as  the  one  he  biad  shot  some 
time  before,  namely,  the  prong-borned  ailitelope.  These 
^aoeluh  creatures  have  long,  Slender  limbs,  delicately- 


~%nne3  mads,  and  large,  beautilnl  eyes.  ~^e  fieinn; 
are  black,  and  rather  short;  they  have  no  biancim 


-0 


,-/-: 


THB  ANTXLOPX  COUSE. 


161 


l^e  the  antlers  of  the  red-deer,  but  have  a  single  pro- 
jection on  each  horn,  near  the  head,  and'  the  extreme 
points  of  the  horns  curve  suddenly  inwards,  forming 
the  hook  or  prong  from  which  the  name  of  the  animal 
is  derived.     Tlieir    color    is  dark  yellowish    brown. 
They  are  so  fleet  that  not  one  horse  in  a  hundred 
can  overtake  them,  and  their  sight  and  sense  of  smeU 
ate  so  acute,  that  it  would  be  next  to  impossible  to 
km  them,  were    it  not  for   the  inordinate  curiosity 
^ch  we  have  before  referred  to.  .The  Indians  manage 
to^ract  these  simple  litUe  creatures  by  merely  lying 
down  V  their  backs  and  kicking  their  heels  in  the  air, 
or  by  waving  any  white  object  on  the  point  of  an 
arrow,  while  the  hunter  keeps  concealed  by  lying  flat 
in  the  grass.    By  tWoxmeans  a  herd  of  antelopes  may 
be  induced  to  wheel  ro^d  and  round  an  object  in 
timid,  but  intense  su¥prise,VaduaIly  approaching  untU 
they  come  near  enough  to  enable  the  hunter  to  maka 
8uie  of  his  mark.    Thus  the  animals,  which  of  aU  oth^ 
ought  to  be  the  most  difficult  to  sUy,  are,  in  consequence 
of  their  insatiable  curiosity,  more  easUy  shot  than  any 
otiter  deer  of  the  plains.  f 

^y  we  not  gently  suggest  to  the,  reader  for  his  or 
►naideration  4|iat  there  are  human  antelopes,  so  to 
Whose  case  bears  a  striking  resemblance  to  thA 


lom  of  the  North  American  pnurie  ? 
XMA's  horse  was  ijp  match  for  the  antelope;  neither 


ri4* 


V 

t*  * 

* 


,*''• 


1 


'J 


;*.  %-"^"^'-\\-'^  vW'/„ 


I. 

->     \ 


gt 

u^* 


E'-> 


.^i- 


was  dmo^  soil^ej  ptiBed^tip  shortly  and  returned  W 
their  companions  to  be  uhighed  at.  -^^ 

"It's  no  manner  o' i;use "to  wind  yer  lioine,  lal^Sler 
eich  game.  They're  not  much  worth,  ui'  if  I  mistake 
not,  we'll  be  «mong  the  bufialb  soon.  '  There/s  fresh 
tracks  everywhere,  and  the  herds  are  scattered  now. 
Ye  see,  when  they  keep  together  in  bands  o'  thousands 
^e  don't  so  ofian  fell  in  wi'  them:  tint  when  they  s4t: 
ters  about  in  twos,  an'  threfes,  an*  six^il^le  may  shoot 
them  every  day  as  much  as  je  please."  - 

Several  groups  of  buffalo  had  ah«ady  been  gden  on'' 
the  horizon ;  but  as  a  red-decir  had  been  shot  in  a  belt 
of  ;Wood]^d  the  day  before,  fliey  did  not  ^W»ue  them. 
The  iwdr^%:  is  very  mucli  larger  thjm  the  prong-homed 
ant^ope,  and  is  highly  e^teeo^ed  both  for  its  flesh  and 
1*6 'mPh  wMA  latter  b^nles  ahno^fr  like  Chamois 
leather  when  dressed.  NotwiUistai^ng  this  supply  of 
^^  the  huntei|. could  pot ^ist  the  temptation  to  gTvi- 
«hMe  to  a  herd^o^  aboa^  tank  bu^jes  ti^  suddenly 
came  into  View  ^0f^ov&rt6pj^  m  u^lation  in  the 


«?r 


xK 


ied  Dick,  « I  mmt  go  at  them  I " 


"It's 
1^   4oe  hii^|gf  <ilight  fire  from  the  spirit  of  his  young 
^^  friend,  so  calling-  to  Henri, to  eome  i%  and  let  the  pack* 
horse  remain  to  feed,  he  dashed  away  in  pursuit    The 


4«»flEaloe8  gav»^oae^«tem-<#«||.prige,  and- then  t^T 
ftst  as  possible.    At  first  it  s^med  as  if  sudb  huge,  un^ 


•   -^i 


^&i. 


-<€*. 


-^f.-^!rfp'^^ 


BUFFALO  OHASB. 


168 


!^ 


\ 


•»c.H 


wieldjcarcaaw  could  not  run  veiy  fkst;  bat  in  a  few 
minutes  ihej  inanaged  to-  get  up  a  pace  that  put  the 
horaes  to  their  mettle.  Indeed,  at  first  it  seem^  as 
if  the  hifttera  di# not. gain  an  iijch,  but  by  deg^ 
they, closed,  with  them,  for  buffaloes  ar?  not'  long 
winded.       '  '  .  -  ,, 

.On  nearing  the  herd„.  the  three  men  .diverged  from 
ew^oth^,,  and,  fleeted  their  aninmb.    Hend,  being 
sh^rt-8ighted„natoaUy  singled  out  the  largest;  and  the 
Iai|;est,-rals«^  naturally,-, was  a  tough  old  buU.    Joe  • 
brought  down%  fat  young  cow  at  the  first  shot,  and  Dick 
was  equaUy  fortunate.    But  he  w«Unigh  shot  Crusoe 
who,  just  as  he  was  about  to  fire,  rushed  in  unexpectedly 
and  sprang  at  the  animal's  throat,  for  which  piece  of 
recklessness  he  was  ordered  back  to  watch  the  pack- 
horse.  .       • 

MeanwhUe,  Henri,  by  dint  of  yelling,  throw|p  hifl 

arms  wUdly  about,  and  digging  his  heels  into  t^ 

•  of  his  long-legged  horse,  succeeded  in  coming  fi|pup 

with  the  bull,  which  onte  or  twice  turned  his  clumsy 

body  half  round  and  glared  furiously  at  its  pursuer  with 

ite  smpll  bhick  eyes.    Suddenly  it  stuck  out  its  tail, 

#>pped  short,  and  turned  full  round.    Henri  stopped 

short  also.    Now,  the  sticking  out  of  a  buffalo's  taU 

^  ^^°°!^  sigoificarice  which  it  is  weU  to  point  out. 


_  '  «> ^  "«»v«  titta  iiyeu  w  pomt  OUt. 

B^«^m"a  ieii^the  gSie  ptopqse  to  the  hunter 
that  the  compass  does' to  the  mariner;  it  points  out  .% 


^v't^^^K^i 


■nji^Tj-»^'     " 


3^  .  ■  tt-,'&<5»? 


u 


164 


HJillBX  IXOOBBP' 


where  to  go  and  what  to  da  Wh^  gaUbping  awi^  in 
ordinary  flight  the  ba£hIo  carries  his  tail  like  otdiiiai7 
catd^  which  indicates  that  you  majpndi  on.  Wluni 
wounded)  he  lashes  it  from  side  to  side,  or  carries  it 
over  his  bacl^  up  in  the  air;  this  indicates  «  Loc^'otttt 
haid^tiff  a  bit  I  **-  Bat  when  he  carries  it  stiff  and  hovt* ' 
zontal,  with  a  dightettrve  in  the^  middle  of  it,  it  says 
plainly,  « Keep  back»  w  kill  me  as  quick  aa  yon  can," 
for  that  is  what  Indians  call  the  mad  taily  and  is  a  sign 
that  mischjef  is  brewing. 

Henri's  bull  displayed  the  mad  tail  just  befoi^B  turn- 
ing, but  he  didn't  ob«(enre  it,  and,  accordingly,  waited 
for  the  bull  to  move  and  show  his  shoulder  for  a  favor- 
able shot  But  instead  of  doing  this  he  put  his  head 
down,  and,  foaming  wifli  rage,  went  at  him  full  tUfc^? 
The  big  horse  never  stirred ;  it  seemed  to  be  petrifiedt!^ 
Henri  had  just, time  to  fire  at  the  monster's  ne<k,  and 
*  the  next  moment  was  sprawling  on  his  back;  with  th^ 
horse  roUing  over  four  or  five  yards  beyond  hin^.^; 
was  a  most  effective  tableau.  Henri  rubbing  his  ahlwf 
and  grinning  with  pun,  the  h<me  gazing  in  aflljghi  iUi> 
he  rose  trembling  fh)m  the  plain,  and  the  buffalo-buQ' 
hcking  on  half  stunned,  and,  evidently^  tjbiy  mueh  8uii«$ 
pised  at  the  remit  of  his  charge.  ,  /  >'*,  w  •  ,tv-,,^ii 
For^nidiety,  before  he^oonld  repeat  tihe  ezpMhiiaii^'' 


-i^rndc  g^oiRRl  iq^  and  pm  alFaU  thtougE  hu  :^i^ 
Joe  and  his  comrades  felt  a  little  ashuned  «f  tiiclili 


Ji    ■    'hi, 


exploit  on  tW.  oocwkM,  for  there  waa  no  need  to  fcivo 

kiUed  three  animals;  Ihey  could  not  have  carried  widi 

^    tkemniore  than  a  smaU  portion  of  one,  and  they  np- 

bwided  theaiaelves  aeveral  times  during  the  operation  of 
cutting  out  the  tongues  and  bjher  choice  portions  of  the 
two  victims.  As  for  the  bull,  he  was  almost  totally 
weless,  so  they  left  hun  as  a  gift  to  the  wolves.  / 

Kow  that  they  had  come  among  the  buffalo,  wolvei 
were  often  seen  sneaking  about  and  licking  their  hungry 
jaws,.-bu^  although  they  appi^hed  pretty  near  to  the 
c«mp  at  nights,  they  did  npt  give  the  hunters  any.con- 
oem.     Even  Crusoe  became  accustomed  to  them  at 
hurt,  and  ceased  Uy  notice  them.    The^  cieatures  at« 
tery  dangerous  sometimes,  however,  and  when  hai^ 
pwwed  ^  hun^  wiU  even  attack  man.    The  day 
a^^t^  hunt  the  travellers  came  upon  a  wounded 
old  btt«Wo  which  had   evidently  escaped   fhto    the 
"i^  (for  «  couple  of  arrows  were  sticking  in  ita  ^ 
-Me),  only  to  fiill  api^  to  his  deadly  enemies,  ^ 
^^t^  7^«"-«8^bnites  hang  on  the  skirts 
L      ^i^^&^  to  attack  and  devour  toy  one 
Wat  may  chai^iOteW  old  age,  or  fiom  being  wounded, 
tetoffBT  behind-i^ft.«»t    The  btiffido  is  tough  and 
fl««M».  however,  and  fights  so  desperately  that  although  . 
4"^^-  ^y  ^^mM  Imndredjnlv^Aeifacpa ,,p_ 


mmie^  combat  for^  sev^  ^yn.  before  he  fiawT 


'W 


JttMombsk 


"m-i 


\  -s 


w> 


1.5;  *•: 


166  THE  O.LD  BULL  AKD  THE  "VTOLVES.  'l*' 

---.■.  ■     ^,  --       ■■„ 

'  V.  ■■ 

The  old  bull  that  our  travellers  discovered  had  evi- 
dently beto  long  engaged  with  his  ferocious  adversa* 
ries,  for  his  limbs  and  flesh  were  torn  in  shreds  in 
many  places,  and  blood  was  str^puning  from  his'  sides.        = 
Yet  he  had  fought  so  gallantly  that  he  had  fosaed  and 
stamped  to  death  dozens  of  the  enemy.    There  could  -^ 
not  have  beqn  fewer  than  fifty  wolves  roun^him;  and" 
they  had  just  concluded  another  of  many  futile  attacksj^ 
^  when  the  hunters  came  up,  for  they  wok  ranged  in  a    *  .- 
circle  round  their  huge  adversary  —  some  lying  downj 
some  sitting  on  their  haunches  to  rest,  and  others  sneakr  ^ 
ing  about,  lolling  out  their  red  tongues,  and  licking  their  ^,     . 
chops  as  if  impatient  to  renew  the  cdmbat    The  pooitL 
buffiilo  vas  nearly  spent,  and  it  wfts  clear  that  a  fe"*  ^ 
hours  more  woiijfl  see  him*  torn  to  shreds,  and  his  bones     *' 
picked  cleaoi.     i  ^ 

«  Ugh  I  de  brutes,"  ejlaculated  Henri. 

"They  don't  seem  to  mind  i#a,bit,^'  remarked  Dipk, 
as  they  rodo^up  to  within  pistol  shot.  '^ 

"It'U  bo"  merciful  to  give  the  old  fellow"  a  shot,**' 
said  Joe.    "  Them  varmints  acre  sure,  to  finish  hito  at 
h^et."     '  ,,   .  ' ^  ^r    \'    '^^     I  •     ■    -' 

Joer  raised  his  rifle  as  he%p6ke,  and  fired.  The  old 
bull  Mve  his  last  groto' and  fell,  whilfe  the  wolves, 
alarmed  by  the*9h6t,  fled  in  all.jip'ections ;  but  they  did 
jfot  tun  fat...  Ther-Jmcw  wclTtl 


''n 


HMi  fat. .  They-Jqicw  well  thtUi  jsmbo  pontimr^ 
leaat^  of  the  carcase  >wou]4  {aii.^^i&r  ab^xe,  bo-  they' 


mi      ■  ' 


h  .  ■•' 


,  * 


^a#^LI>  BULL  AKI>  ,HE  WOLVES. 


4-  ^67 

left  the  ,«««  with  a  feeling  „f  „_,  ?°  .T""-  .^* 

tothe  laws  of  Ik.-       •   ,       """S-notluog  contnur 

^,co.„le,ee,  a^d  .■^^l^'^''  "»  ™-^ 
"       obJiact  Strongly  to  it     W»  ^J  '  ^ooa  reader,  ,f  you 

.  loveaWe.  '  ««»«rec^,  they  are  un-    . 

./fted,"  ^  Joe  .,p4ed 7  '  ^"""""'^  '™  "" 


^*» 


•ill 


»N 


iir 


.^' 


jgg  .         A   MISFORTUNE.  ^ 

Dick  admitted  that  it  was,  and  stuped  to  blow  the 

fire  into  ablaze.  ->  .  j  „t„«;i 

Bere  Henri  «i«red  a  cry  of  con.lemat.«n,  ^  .tood 

.peeoUe«,«A  hi.  mouth  open. 

.'What's  the  matter?  what  ist?     cned  viol  au 

Joe,  seimg  their  rifles  tatioo'i^ly; 
i      uDe_gmb— him— be— forgaf!" 

There  was  a  look  of  blank  horror,  and  then  a  b^t 
of  langhter  from  Dick  Variey.    "  Well,  well,"  cned  he, 
-  we've  got  lots  o'  tea  an'  sngar,  an'  some  floor ;  we  can 
rit  on  wi'  that  tin  we  shoot  another  buffdo,  «'•»-'«" 
Dick  observed  a  wild  tnrkey  stalking  among  tb«  wd- 
-   lows  as  he  spoke.   It  was  fally  a  hnndred  yar^  off.  and 
Tnlyit.  h  Jwas  seen  aUe  the  •«—    Th»  -  a 
J^  of  little  moment,  howeve.,  for  by  «nng  a  Me 
U„er  he  knew  that  he  mnst  hit  the  body;  bn^  D.* 
hM  driven  the  m»l  too  often  to  mm  at  tt.  body,  he 
aimed  at  the  bird's  eye  and  cat  iu  head  off. 
"Fetch  it,  Crusoe." 

In  aree  minutes  it  was  at  Dick's  feet,  and  .t  «  not 
U«  much  to  say  that  in  five  minutes  more  it  wa.  in  the 

^°tLf  this  imeipected  supply  nmde  up  for  the  loss  of 
the  megMi(ft,^enri  had  forgotten  at  thek  li^thal^ 

i«K-plaSWigequanimity  was  ^^^^^^[j^  ^^ 

'     ^meal  was  in  prepanUion,  Dick  siwuideiwl  h.-  m  "^^ 

'        went  iAto  the  bush  to  try  for  anotheif  turkey.    He  did 


X 


\ 


DICK  TMES  i  KEW  DISH.  IJJ 

«.  get  one,  b„„Ter,  bat  he  shot  *  «,„p,e  „f  .^rf, 
kens,  which  .«  e^cdfeo.  e..i„,.    ^o  Jver.  hoZd  ' 
ata^q««..it,ofwadg„.pe.^.ndpl™„,.    T^e^Z^ 
<^Hu^Uly  „„.  oe.,,,  Hpe.  b.t  Diek  resolved  J^: 

iror.hr''"'''"*""''""'-^-'-- 

r  ''.'*"'°  °"™  "'"'■•  '»  i*-  Then  he  p„„„d  Le 
.^oor  ,„,  „d  su™,  ,  „el..    While  this  ZL2° 

-P^ed  it  into  «.e  pot. .  He  iUso  s»in™e.  a  Z% 
of  ae  at  ftom  the  re^aios  of  me  turkey  soup,  J^J 
~^ded  th..  to  the  mess,  whieh  he  «.i™d  with  JLtt 

^-tini.^ired.ow.iu.o.^.^^^'::: 

"We'll  see.    Hold  the  tin  dish,  Henri "  '       ' 

^e^^ne^ed  not  ^  1.  inte^^^ed.    le  .aa  aa^.  ^ 
^Ye'Il«Ba'  to  e^  r  yerself,  Kek,  W^^edJbejL^ 


,  ^  ^  n  yereeit,  Dick,  fcd,"  oried  To« 

iW        .       .      T**' »o3^*i«j!ng out  tWunaavoiy 


15 


"    .If'"'  ^•■ 


•«  u 


*?^' 


4" 


^1 


■  ...J,...^..UM>|l|i.|lt.>||tli'gl 


170 


A  FAILUBE* 


"Nonsense,"  cried'  Dick,  bolting; two  or  three  mouth- 
fuls,  and  trying.to  look  as  if  he  Uked  it.  «  Try  again ; 
it's  not  so  bad  as  ^ou  thinki" 

«  Ho-o-oKM)  1 "  cried  Henri,  after  the  second  mouth- 
fuL  «"fis  vin^gre.  All  de  sugare  in  de  pkck  would 
not  make  more  sweeter  one  bite  of  it."  ^ 

Dick  was  obliged  to  confess  the  dish  a  faUure,  so  it 
"  was  thrown  out  after  having  been  offered  to  Crusoe,  who 
gave  it  one  sniff  and  turned  away  in  silence.    Then  they 
mounted  and  resumed  their  jourtaey. 

At  this  place  mosquitoes  and,  horse  flies  troubled  dur 
hunters  and  their  steeds  a,good  deal    the  latter  espec- 
ially werp  very  annoying  to  the  poor  horses.    They  bit 
i  them  Bjp  much  that  the  blood  at  last  cam^-trtckling  down 
\their  sides.    They  were  troubled  also,  once  or  twice,  by 
codtchafersW^  l*;usts,  which  annoyed  them,  nT)t  indeed 
by  biting,  but  by  flying  blindly  against  their  faces,  and 
often  narrowly  missed  hitting  them  in  the  eyes.    Once 
particularly  they  were- so  bad,  that^enri  in  his  wrath' 
opened  his  lips  to  pronounce  a  malediction  on  the  whole 
race,  when  a  cockchafer  flew  straight  into  his  mouth,   t^ 
and,  to  use  his  own  forcible  expression,  "nearly  knocked 
liim  off  de  boss."    But  these  were  minor  evils,  and 
Bcapcely  cost  the  hunters  a  thought.  r        "      .    ^  - 


^     ^ 


■'''^^. 

i 

i 

■h 

.,.'■* 

•i 

1     w 

I 

'..L^  '-  J^*'.  ^ 

A 

•<",«■ 


f  ,.-"■%. 


-^ 


.-.•^ 


.WANDERINGS   ON.  THE   PBAIEIB. 


J  mouth- 
jr  again; 

1  mouth- 
ik  would 

are,  so  it 
jsoe,  who 
hen  they      * 

ubled  ^ur 
ter  espec- 
They  bit 
lug  down 
twice,  by 
rt)t  indeed 
faces,  and 
es.    Once 
his  wrath' 
the  whole 
us  m^outh,    ( 
y  knocked 
evils,  and 


171 


m 


^-: 


CHAPTER  Xn. 

WariieringB  oa  the  P»irie.  -  A  War  Party.  -  Chased  by  Indians^ 
—  A  Bold  Leap  fot  Life.  " 

For  many  days  the  three  huntfers  w^dered  over  the 
tracfciess  prairie  in  search  of  a  viljage^f  the  Sioux  In- 
dians, bat  failed  to  find  otte,  for  the  Indians  were  in  the 
habit  of  shifting  their  ground,  andfoUowing  the  buffalo. 
Several  times  they  saw  smaU  isolald  bands  of  Indians, 
T)ut  these  aey  carefuUy  avoided,  fearing  they  might  turn' 
out  to  be  war  parties,  and  if  they  feU  into  t^  hands 
*  the  white  men  could  not  exppct  civil  tr^tment,  what^tr 
nation  the  Lidiand;might  bel(»)g  to.  * 

^  During  the  greater  portion  of  this  time,  they  met  with 
numerous^erfs  o£  biiflBdo  and  deer,  and  were  WeU  sup- 
I^ed^With  food^bttt  t%tiad  t<^x;ook  itdui^ng  the  day, 
being  afraid,  to  light  a  fire  at  night  ifhUe  Indians  were 
flowling about.  .  ,    -. 

.     Q<ie  night  they  halted  near  thobe^  of  iiBti;©toiw6di 
was  almost  dry^  j^ey  h^  travelled  A  day  and  a  hif^ht 


"  . 

jj^g           .vac 

;■.-%..  V 

m:^--v 

m-  '" 

l>x: 

^^il^anr^th  men  and  horses  wwwahnost 
cbokingi  M  that  when  th«y  saw  the  trees  on  the  Iiori^ 


"  •'".-■j!'    'J|^^  4.  ; 


<■' 


p 

»>(* 


t 


•V 


17S 


WANDEKING8   ON  THE  PBAIBIE. 


indicated  the  presence  of  a  stream,  thej  pushed 
'  with  almoBt  frantlp  haste."  .    .  ^ 

tope  it's  not  diy,"  said  Joe  anxiously  as  they  gal- 
lopedlup  to  it.  «No,  there's  T^er,  lads,"  and  they 
iashed  forward  to  a"  pool  that  had  not  yet  been  dri6d 
up.  They  drank  long  a^d  eagerly  before  they  noticed 
that  thA  pool  was  strongly  impregnated  with  salt.  Many 
J  stream^  in  those  parts  of  the  prairies  are  quite  salt,  but 
fortunately  this  one  was  not  utterly  undripkable,  though 
it  was  yfery  unpalat«|^ble.    r 

"  Wei  make  it  better,  lads,"  said  Joe,  digging  a  deep 
hole  in  the  sand  with  his  hands,,  a  little  below  the  pool. 
In  a  sho^  time  the  water  filtered  through,  and  though 
not  rendeW  fresh,  it  was,  nevertheless,  much  im- 
proved. ^ 

«  We  may  Kght  a  fire  to-night,  d'ye  think  ?  "  inquired 
Didc ;  «  we've  not  seed  Injuns  for  f  ome  days." 

«  Pr'aps  'twould  be  better  not,"  said  Joe, «  but  I  dare- 
say we're  safe  enough."    ^ 

A  fire  was  therefore  lighted  in  as  shelterfed  a  spot  as 
could  be  found,  and  the  three  friends  bivouacked  as 
usuaL  Towards  dawn  they  were  aroused  by  an  angiy 
growl  fix)m  Crusoe. 

«If8  a  wolf  likely,"  siud  Dick,  but  all  three  seized 
•nd  cocked  their  rifles  nevertheless. 
Again  Crasoe  growled  more  angrily  than  before,  and 


■pdnging  oat  cT  ihe  camp  aniiflSBd  the  breeze  anxiously. 


I 
f 

I 


tfmmmiir^mamif-  ■«»•" 


I. 


r 


A  TTAR.PABTT. 


?.. 


178 


«  Up,  la^s ;  catcfr  the  nags  I;  There's  somethiog  hi  the 
^wind,  for  the  dog  niver  did  that  afore."  '      I 

In  a  few  seconds  the  horees  were  saddled  and  the 
.  j)ack8  secared. 

V** Call  m  the  dog,"  whispered  Joe  Blunt;  "ifhebarks 
theyil  find  oyt  our  whereabouts." 
"  Here,  Crilisoe,  come  — ." 

It  was  too  kte  j  the  dog  barked  l^dly  and  sivagely 
at  the  moment,  and  a  troopof  Indiai^  came  coursing 
over  the  plain.  On  hearing  the  unwonted  sou4  they 
wheeled  directly  and  made  for  the  camp.  ~ 

« It's  a  war  party ;  fly,  lads ;  nothin'  '11  save  our  scalps 
now  but  our  horses' heels,"  cried  Joe.  -^  ' 

In.  a  moment  they  vaulted  into  the  saddle,  and  urged 
theii*  steeds  forwai^  at  the  utmost  speed.    The  savages 
observed  them,  and,  with  an  exulting  yeU  dashed  after 
them.    Feeling  that  there  was  now  no  need  of  conceal- 
ment,  the   three  horsemen  struck  off  into  the  open 
prairie,  intending  to  depend  entirely  on  the  speed  and 
stamina  bf  then-  horses.    As  we  have  before  remarked, 
they  were  good  ones,  but  the  Indians  soon  proved  thi 
they  were  equaUy  weU  if  not  better  mounted. 
.  "It'll  be  a  hard  ruii,"  said  Joe  in.a  low,  mutterfng 
t.ne,and  looking  fUrtively  over  his  shoulder.    «The 

V^l.^T"^^  """^^  ^^"^>  ^^*Wa  they 


lnem  chaps  cui  thre¥  ^ 
law  and  tr^  a  mustang  aa  weU  as  n  Mexican.    Mind 
•  ..   -  -Iff*  / 


I.' 


<-\ 


y?'^'  A 


">i^(y''-^^-'l 


>        , 


174 


3Ea. 


CBASBO   BT  SAyjLO] 

flie  badger  holes,  Dick.  Hold  in  a  bit,  Henri,  yer  nag 
dont  need  drivin'-a  foot  in  a  hole  just  now  would  eos! 
us  our  scalps.     Keep^lown  by  the  creek,  lads - 

1  J^k'  t"  '"^  '"''"  '"'  "^""  •"  «  ^"^^  tone, 
looking  back,  and  shakin^his  rifle  at  them ^an  act  that 

caused  thep  to  yell  more  fiercely  than  Sver.    «  Dis  old 

pack-hojs  give  me  moche  trobel." 

The  iace  was  now  tremendous.    Pursuers  and  pur- 
sued  rose  and  sank  on  the  prairie  billows'as  theyWpt 
along   t.ut^y  came  to  what  1  termed  a  ^«  dividing 
ndge     wh.ch  is^«,^3  wave,  as  it  were,  which  cut! 
^e  others  m  two,  thus  forming  a  contfnupus  level. 
Here  they  advanced  ^^re  easily,  but  the  Wantage  ^ 
-^^equally  share*  with  their  pursu.^,  who  continued 
the  headlong  pys„it  with  occasional  yells,  which  served 
to^show  the  fugitives  that  they  at  lea^d^^ot  ^ain 

A  little  to  the  right  of  the  directiop  in  which  they 
^  %ing  a  blue  line  was  seen  on  the  horizon.  This 
pleated  the  existence  of  trees  to  Joe's  ^mctised  eyes- 
»d  feeling  that  if  the  ho^s  br^ke  dqwn  they  could 
better  make  a  last  manful  sta.«  i,  the  woo*  than-on  • 
the  phun  he  urged  his  «eed  towmrfs  it.  " 
""*"*"'  **"  fliovement  at  once,  sad  uttered 
>ey  regarded  it  as  an  evidewc 
«oub«ed  the  strength  of  their  hones. 


sa\ 


^^on' 
tives 


=tt: 


l«veue  gftt  us  yet,-5ittiSd^l-e,'^rithT 


sar- 


^ 


M 


V 


i.r 


».  yer  nag 
wouldeoBt 
1." 

^age  tone, 

n  act  that 

"Disold 

and  pur- 
ley 'swept 
'  dividing 
lich  cats 
as  level. 
Ivantago  ■^' 
ontinued 
h  served 
lot  g^ain 

\ 

ch  they 
.    This 
d  eyes; 
y  could 
ban*  on   '° 
lavages        ■* 
'ekalt- 
«  fugi- 

a  sar- 


CHASEO  BT  SATAOES.  175 

^ 
donic  grin.    « If  they  get  near  us,  Dick,  keep  yer  eyes 
open,  an'  look  out  for  yer  n6ck,  else  they'll  drop  a  noose 
over  it ;  they  will,  afore  ye  know  they're  near,  an'  haul 
ye  off  like  a  sack."  >^      • 

Dick  nodded  in  reply,  but  did  not  speak,  for  at  that 
moment  Ixls  eye  was  fixed  on  a  small  creek  ahead  which 
they  must  necessarily  leap  or  dash  across.    It  was 
liued  with  clumps  of   scattered    shrubbeiy,  and    he 
gKnced  rapidly  for  the  most  suitable  place  to  pass. 
Joe  and  Henri  did  the  same^and  having  diverged  a 
Uttle  to  the  different  points  chosen,  they  dashed  through    " 
the  shrubbery,  and  were  hid  from  each  other's  view 
On  app^hing  the  edge  o^e  stream,  Did^foundto 
hw  consternation  that  |he^ban\  was  twenty  f^t  high 
opposite  him,  and  too  wide  for.  ar,y  horse  to  cleL 
Wheehng  aside  withoy^  checking  speed,  at  the  risk  of* 
throwing  his  «teed,  heVrode  idong  m  margin  of  the    ' 
stream  for^a  few  hundi^d  yards  untU  ^  found  a  ford 
-at  least  such  ^  spot  as  might  be  cleared  by  a  bold 
leap.    The  temporary  check,  however,  had  enabled  an 
Indaan  tqgain  so  close  upon.  b«,l^els,  that  his  exulting 
yeU  sounded  close  in  his  ear. «  .      ^    , 

.     -With  a^vigoroua  bound  his  gallant  little  hdrse  frent 

oyer.    Cnrioe  could  not  take  it,  but  he.  rushed  down 

^  ae  one  bank  and  up  the  other,  so ,, that  beonlylorta 

4.U11UU  imjmkis.  iiowe<^  ™-^su^cient 


to  bring  the  ^Indian 


■pon  |im  as-  he  cleared  III* 


u".  \i,<t 


X' 


\ 


176 


*  CBUSOia  CAPTDBED. 


V 


'^^fetuj^  Ht  full  Ballon      Tk^ 

lentlj  on  the  plain.  ««  '^e  was  tapped  ^p  vio- 

I>ick  heard  the  cry  of  hia  foi^w  i  ^  ' 

'  trc— .lS:;-"-■ 
Indians,  had  taken  the  bitThrte  1  7  ''  "'*' 
nnmanaffeable     TT«  *  ^         ^*^  "''^  '^^  ^ow 

«ie  fieight  of  his  frenzy  even  wised  the  butt  nf  i,- 
nfle  with  the  intent  to  strike  fh.  ^   u  ^ 

but  hi«  h«»  ^''  ^^'^e  to  tfae  earth, 

out  Jus  better  nature  prevailed     w^    u    i.  ,      ^^ 

eoold  have  toned  h«  horae.  '  "*"  "^  ••" 

SpiriUess,  and  m^rij  indifferent  to  whl,t  W,  t. 


xi 


w< 


7i- 


...  ^ 


;'jji(W»r, 


t  his  laaao 
>ment  C^u- 

>ed  ap  vio. 

J-  ' 

od  turned 
Qg  at  the 
der  down 
•    Had  a 
uld  have 
eacpected 
e    steed, 
J  of  the 
vas  now 
liac,  and 
it  of  his 
eeart]^ 
the  lip- 
id sank 
eralof 
irsuing 
chance 
I  if  he 

9  fate 
troop, 
while 


V. 


^ 


Iff 


"  PICK  nr  Pi»o^ 

W.    Gradu«lfyhe«wak|Ri4i»i8  8tate:5rfde«>afr 
^  a  sense  of  danger.    Gh^cini«>nnd  he  observed  that 
tfie  Indians  were  now  far  behind  hiiii,  though  BtiJl  pur- 
Jmng.    He  also  observed  that  his  companions  were  gai^ 
J)p«g  miles  away  on  the  horizon  to  the  left,  and  ttat 
Je  had  foolishly  aUowed  the  savages  to  get  betWeen  . 
^  and  them.     The  onl;^  chance  tiu»t  remained-  f^^ 
l^m  was  to  outride  his  pursuers,  and  cinde  rx)und  tp- 
wards  his  con^ades,  and  this  he  hoped  to  accomplish, 
for  h«  htUe  horsehad  now  prov^^d  itself.to  be  superior 
Wthose^of  the  Indians,  and  there  was  good  running  in  ^ 

^     I  Urging  him  forward,  therefore,  he  «oon  left  the  sav- 
agea  still  forther  behind,  and  feeling  confident  that  tW 
could  not  now  overtake  him,  he  reined  up  and  Z 
mOonted.    The  pursuers  quickly  d,.w  near,  but  short 
thpughu  was,  theVt  did  his  horse  good.    Vaulting 
in^  the  saddle,  he  again  stretched  out,  and  now  skirted 
I     al^ng  the  margin  of  a  wood  which  seemed  to  mark  the 
position  of  a  river  of  considerable  size. 
At  this  moment  his  horse  put  his  foot  into  a  badger 
•ho^,  and  both  of  them  came  heavily  to  the  ground. 
In^an  in^t  Dick  rose,  picked  up  his  gun,  and  leaped 

forward,  he  found  that  its  shoulder  was  badly  sprained. 
-^hfere  was  jM)  roon^^a^^  -  . 


,    ^,  ^tsrey,  howewr,— ffife  and 

<i«fk  w«e  ia  the  i»laa,e,_„  ^  plied  fte  Usk  yig^ 


„  f, 


"^  : 


i" 


~.,j\ 


'  V 


'<"' 


w;f' 


■    t- 


«         t 


*'■■  ^    -.;m-' 


4 


',     ♦    "- 


■-■*"■■  .■--'■  /  ■  . 

■        .  .  "■    '  '  '  _-r-- 


4 


A- 


i 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


i 


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/ 


{/ 


k 


/. 


^ 


*^ 


^^^ 


Ki 


■  V  -« 


"?: 


\   < 


11.25 


ia«.6 

u    12,2 

lit 


2.5 
2.2 


1.4 


I 


1.6 


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'( 


9  .     ■*. 


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4^     I 


BiotogE^pfc^ 


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Sciences 
CarpOTation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRICT 

WnSTIR,N.Y.  USM 

(71«f«72^S03 


-^'b'^^ 
^ 


>  .*  .. 


-A' 


«»^-. 


178 


dick's  horse  killed. 


ouBly,  and  the  noble  steed^wiia^in^  something  like  a 
run,  when  again  it  studied,  and  feU  with  a  crash  on 
the  ground  while  the  blood  burst  from  its  mouth  and 
nostrils.  Dick  could  hear  the  shout  of  triumph  uttered 
by  his  pursuers. 

"My  poor,  poor  horse  I "  he  exclaimed,  in  a  tone  of 
the  deepest  commiseration,  while  he  stooped  and  stroked 
its  foam-studded  neck. 

the  dying  steed  raised  his  head  for  a  moment,  it  al- 
most seemed  as  if  to  acknowledge  the  tones  of  affection, 
then  it  sank  down  with  a  gurgUng  groan. 

Dick  sprang  up,  for  the  Indians  were  now  upop  him 
and  bounded  like  an  antelope  into  the  thickest  of  the' 
shrubbery;  which  wa^  nowhere  thick  enough,  how- 
ever, to  prevent  the  Indians  foUowing.    StUl,  it  suffl- 
cienUy  retarded  them  to  render  the  chase  a  mor«  equal 
one  than  could  have  been  expected.    In  a  few  minutes 
Dick  gamed  a  stripe  of  open  ground  beyond,  and  foubd 
himself  on  the  bank  of  a  broad  river,  whose,  evidently 
deep  waters   rushed   impetuously  along   their  unob- 
structed channel.     The  bank  at  the  spot  wher^'he 
reached  it  was  a  sheer  precipice  of  between  thirty  and 
forty  feet  high.     Glancing  up  and  down  the  river  he 
retreated  a  few  paces,  turned  round  and  shook  his 
denched  fist  at  the  savages,  accompanying  the  action 
with  a  about  of  defiance,  and  then  running  to  the  edge 

Of  tiift  bank,  sprang  far  tmtintatbr^oillng^flood^^^^^^ 
sank. 


.....i^S^ 


\ 


■n- 


N  ■ 


A  BOLD  LEAP  VOB  LIFE. 


179 


ething  like  a 
a  crash  on 
moutlk  and 

mpL  uttered 

a  a  tone  of 
and  stroked 

)ment,  it  al- 

Of) 


'  upon  him, 
test  of  the 
►ugh,  how- 
ill,  it  Buffi. 
nore  equal 
w  minutes 
and  fou&d 
I- evidently 
eir  unob- 
where-'he 
thirty  and 

river  be 
shook  his 
he  action 

the  edge 


J 


The  Indians  pulled  up  on  reaching  the  spot  There 
was  no  possibility  of  galloping  down  the  wood-encum- 
bered banks  after  the  fugitive,  but  quick  as  thought 
each  red-man  leaped  to  the  ground,  and  fitting  an  arrow 
to  his  bow,  awaiteiiPidE^  re-appearance  with  eager  gaze^ 

Toung  though  he  was,  and  unskilled  in  such  wild 
warfare,  Dick  knew  well  enough  what  ^rt  of  reception 
he  wduld  meet  wit|i  on  coming  to  the  surface,  So  he 
kept  under  water  as  long  as  he  could,  and  struck  out  as 
vigorously  as  the  care  of  his  rifle  would  permit  At 
last  he  rose  for-  a  few  seconds,  and  in^ediately  half,  a 
dozen  arrows  whizzed  through  the  air ;  but  most  of 
them  fell  short ;  .only  one  passed  dose  to  his  cheek,  and 
went  with  a  "  whip  "  into  the  river.  He  immediately 
sank  again,  and  the  next  time  he  rose  to  breathe  he  was 
far  beybnd  the  reach  of  his  Indian  enemies. 


3ood  and 


180 


D^OK'a'^SCAPE. 


CHAPTER  :xni. 

Escape  from  Indians.  -  A  Discoveiy.  -  Alone  in  the  Desert. 

Dick  Vabley  had  spent  so  much  of  his  boyhbod  in 
Bporting  about  among  the  waters  of  the  rivers  aj^ 
lakes  near  which  he  had  been  reared,  and  especially 
during  the  List  two  years  had  spent  so  much  of  his      ' 
leisure  time  in  rolling  and  divmg  with  his  dog  Crusoe 
in  the  lake  of  the  Mustang  VaUey,  that  he  had  become 
ahnost  as  expert  in  the  water  as  a  south-sea  islander; 
80  that  when  he  found  himself  whiriing  down  the  rapid^^ 
river,  as  already  described,  he  was  more  impressed 'wi^Hp 
a  reeling  of  gratitude  to  God  for  his  escape  from  thT^ 
Indians,  than  anxiety  about  getting  ashore.             '\'*'' 
He  was  not  altogether  blind,  or  indifferent,  to  the 
danger  mto  which  he  migtt  be  buried  if  the' channel  of 
the  river  should  be  found  lower  down  to  be  broken 
with  rocks,  or  should  a  waterfaU  unexpectedly  appear. 
After  floating  down  a  sufficient  distance  to  render  pur-, 
suit  out  of  the  question,  he  struck  in  t6  the  bank  oppo- 
Bite  to  that  from  which  he  had  plunged,  and,  clamber- 
ing up  to  the  green  sward  above,  stripped  oft"  the  greater 
Mfc  ui  ^ms^iotfifflg  ^  irang  it  00^  fhe  l^ranches  of  a 


^r 


Dick's    ESCAPE, 


181 


e  Desert, 
oyhftod  in 

espedallj 
tch  of  his 
)g  Crusoe 
id  become 
islander ; 
the  rapi 

from  the 


rapiiyHj^ 


it,  to  the 
lannel  of 
3  broken 
^  appear, 
der  pur-/ 
ak  oppo- 
clamber- 
5  greater 


W  ik 


i' 


f- 


bash  to  dry.  Then  he  sat  down  oh  the  trunk  gf  a 
feUen  tree  to  consider  what  course  he  had  best  pursue 
in  his  present  circumstances. 

These  circumstances  were  by  no  means  calculated  to 
inspire  him  with  hope  or  comfort.     He  was  in  the 
midst  of  to  unknown  wilderness,  hundreds  of  miles 
from  any  white  man's  settlement;  surrounded  by  sav- 
ages; without  food  or  blanket;  his  companions  gone, 
he.kne%  not  whither;  perhaps  taken  and  killed  by  the 
Indians ;  his  horse  dead,  and  his  dog,  the  most  trusty 
and  loving  of  all^hirfriends,  lost  to  him,  probably,  for- 
ever I     A  more  veteran  heart  might  have  quailed  in 
the  midst  of  such  accumulated  evils,  but  Dick  Varley 
possessed   a  strong,  young,  and  buoyant  constitution 
■'Which,  united  with  a  hopefuhiess  of  disposition  that  al- 
most nothing  could  overcome,  enabled  him  very  quickly 
to  cast  aside  the  gloomy  view  of  bis  case  and  turn  to  its 
brighter  aspects.  ■ ' 

^:    He  still  grasped  his  good  rifle,  that  was  some  com- 
fort,  and/as Jiis  eye  fell  upon  it,  he  turned  with  anxiety 
to  examine  into  the  condition  of  his  powder-horn  and  . 
the  few  things  that  he  had  been  fortunate  enough  te 
carry  away  with  him  about  his  person. 

The  horn   in   which   western   hunters  carry  Aeir  " 
powder  is  usually  that  of^n  ox.    It  is  closed  up  at  the 
j?'^  ^°^^^fa  "■  P'^Q  of  hard  w"^  fittH  tiglrtly  intOL__ 


it,  and  the  sn^l  end  is  closed  with  a  wood^  peg  6r 

16 


■>:  / 


ITtttf-     jr^ff 


■%-ff- 


IP 


183 


dick's    £SO:U>&r 


Copper.     It  is,  therefore,  completely  water-tight,  and 
may  be  for  hours  immersed  without  the  powder  gettmg 
wet,  unless  the  stopper  shoidd  chance  to  be  knocked 
out     Dick  found,  to  his  great  satisfaction,  that -the 
Btopple  was  fast,  and  the  powder  perfectly  dry.    |tf ore- 
over,  he  had  by  good  fortune  fiUed  it  full  two  days 
before  from  the.  package  that  contained  the  general 
stock  of  ammunition,  so  that  there  were  only  two  or 
three  charges  out  of  it.    His  percussion  caps,  however, 
were  completely  destroyed,  and  even  though  they  had 
not  be*n,lt  would  have  mattered  litUe,  for  he  did  not 
possess  more  thim  half  a  dozen.    But  this  was  not  so 
great  a  misfortune  as  at  first  it  might  seem,  for  he  had 
the  spare  flint  locks  and  the  little  screw-driver  neces^ 
nary  for  fixing  and  unfixing  them  stowed  away  in  his 
shot  pouch. 

To  examine  his  supply  of  bullets  was  his  ne^t  rtre, 
and  slowly  he  counted  th«m  out,  one  by  one»  to  the 
number  of  thirty.    This  was  a  pretty  fair  suj^j^and  ., 
with  careful   economy  would   last   him   many  days.' 
Having  reUeved  his  mind  on  these  aU-important  peinl|^'^ 
he  caiefuUy  exammed  every  pouch  and  comer  of  his 
dress  to  ascertain  the  exact  amount  and  value  of  his 
wealth. 

Besides  the  leatheivleggins,  moccasins,  deewkin  hunt- 
Ing^hirt,  cap,  and  belt  which  composed  his  costume,  he« 
j«d  tiphortheasy  hunting-knife,,  ft  piece  4>ftiadwv» 


,  'T?^-.'* 


A  VOICE  IN  THB   WILDKHNESSJ.  1821 

Si  "''■■ 

little  tin  pannikin,  which  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of 

canying  at  his  bel^d  a  largdl-cakeof  maple  sugar. 

Jhis  test  is  aapecies  ol^ugar  which  is  procured  by  the 

Indians  from  the  maple-tree. '  Several  cakes  of  it  had 

been  carriftd  off  from  the  Pawnee  viUage,  and  Dick 

usually  carried  one  in  the  breast  of  his  coat.    Besides 

these  things,  he  found  that  the  littlg  Bible,  for  which 

his  mother  had  made  a  smaU  inside  breast  pocket,  was 

safe.     Dick's  heart  smote  him  when  he  took  it  out  and 

undid  the  clasp,  for  he  had  not  looked  at  it  until  that 

day.    It  was  firmly  bound  with  a  b^s  dasp,  so  that 

although  the  binding  and  edges  of  ^e  leaves  were 

soaked,  the  inside  was  quite  dry.    On  ope^ng  the  book 

to  see  if  it  had  been  damaged,  a  small  pa^er  fell  out. 

Picking  it  up  quickly,  he  unfolded  it,  and  r^,  in  his 

mother's  handwriUng, «  Oatt  upon  me  in  the  tin^^trou. 

He,  and  I  vnU  deliver  thee,  and  thou  thaU  gh^  me. 

My  son,  give  me  thine  heart."  \ 

Dick's  eyes  filled  with  tears  while  the  sound,  a^  it 
were,  of  his  mother's  voice  thus  reached  him  unexpe^x 
edly  in  that  lonely  wilderness.  Like  too  many  whc^^ 
hearlB  are  young  and  gay,  Dick  had  regarded  reM|ion, 
if  not  as  a  gloomy,  at  least  as  not  a  cheerfol  thing.  But 
he  felt  the  comfort  of  these  wo^  at  that  moment,  aiid 
he  resolved  seriously  to  peruse  his  mother's  parting  gift 
in  time  to  come. 


The  sun  was  hot,  and  a  warm  breeze  ^tly  shodc 


■^fc*- 


184 


H0PB8  AJifp  FBAB8. 


the  l^vea,  so  that  Dick's  garments  were  soon  dr^.    A 
fe^Sft«lnutes  served  to  change  the  locks  of  his  rifle,  dmw 
the  wet  charges,  dry  out  the  barrels,  and  re-load.    Then, 
throwing  it  across  his  shoulder,  he  entered  the  wood.' 
and  walked  lighUy  away.    And  weU  he  might,  poor 
fellow,  for  at  that  monient  he  felt  light  enough  in  pe«on 
If  not  m  heart    His  worldlj  goods  were  not  such  as  to 
oppress  him,  but  the  little  note  had  turned  his  thoughts 
towards  home,  and  he  felt  comforted.  • 

Traversing  the  belt  of  woodland  that  marked  the 
course  of  the,  river,  Dick  soon  emerged  on  the  wide 
praine  beyond,  and  here  he  paused  in  some  micertakty   ' 
.  US  to  how  he  should  proceed. 

He  was  too  good  a  backwoodsman,  albeit  so  young 
to  feel  perplexed  as  to  the  points  of  thei^mpass.    He' 
knew  pretty  well  what  hour  it  was,  so  that  the  sun 
"Showed  him  the  general  bearings  oTthe  coun^,  and  he 
knew  that  when  night  came  he  coulff  coBre^  his  course 
ty  the  pole-star.    Dick's  knowledge  of  astronomy  was 
lumted;  he  knew  only  one  star  by  name,  but  that  one 
was  an  inestimable  treasure  of  knowledge.    His  per- 
plexit^  was  owing  to  Ms  uncertainty  as  t§  the  direction 
In  which  his  companions  and  their  pursu;,  had  gone, 
for  he  had  made  up  his  mind  to  follow  their  tr«l  if 
possible,  and  render  aU  the  succor  his    single  arm 
might  afford.    To  desert  them,  and  make  for  the  setUo. 


ent,  n^  held,  wottld^hfrft^thless  and^cowardly  a^" 


',*^t 


B0PE8  ATO  PtUM.       '  jgj 

mue  aey  w««  logelhw,  Joe  Blum  M,^  ^ked 
to  h™. boa.  ft,  „„^  10  „^,  ^  p^^^  ^  ^ 

^«  they  had  been  toke-  and  oMried  .m.y  in  .  totaUy 

h«  oteervug  fte„.    Then,  .gain,  if  ftey  had  eseapei 

^  for  h^,  «,  .bat  if  he  left  fte  spo.  be  n,ight  2 

"Oh.  for  n>y  dear  pup  Cru«,el"  he  i^elain,^  aloud 
m  aus  djlenuna,  but  the  &i«rf„,  ear  wa,  Bhat  now, 
-d  the  deep  aileaee  a«  foB„„ed  Jmoryy^soJ^ 
P««.ve  that  fte  y^g  h„„.er  .prang  forward  at  a  r,^ 
over  fte  pWn,  a,  if  ,0  tj  fon,  solitude.  He  soon^ 
«-e  so  absorbed,  however,  in  hi,  effort,  .„  iind  fte 
taU  of  hB  «,mp.nio„,,  ftat  i,  f,,^  ^  ^^^^ 

Tr-  »"''  •»  "««!>"  forwarf  for  hour,  togefter, 
™h  h„  eye,  e^rly  iixed  on  fte  ground.    A.  L  h 
f*  «,  hungry,  having  ..„ed  no  food  rinoe  .Uppe,^e 
fte  prevou,  eventog,  ft.t  he  halted  for  the  f^  „f 

a.,  diatanee  ^dieated  water, «,  he  ,ped  on  again,  an^ 
Z^"""  -^  ^^e^  ■■  »abw,dri,kinrwS  ^ 

16 »  " 


,.:^ 


■.J? 


186 


ALONB   m  THE  PBAIBIB. 


the  cool  Stream.  No  gime  was  to  be  found  hewj  but 
there  were  several  ki^ds  of  berries,  among  which  wlW 
grapes  an4  plums  gr^e  in  abundance.  With  these  and 
some  sugar  he  made  a  meal,  thqug^h  not  a  good  one,  for 
the  berries  were  quite  green,  WdfYntenselj  sour. 

AU  that  day  Dick  Variey  followed  up  the  trail  of  his 
companions,  which  he  discovered  at  a  ford  in  the  river. 
They  had  crossed,  therefore,  in  safety,  though  still  pur-' 
Bued,  so  he  ran  on  at  a  regular  trot,  and  with  a  little 
more  hope  th^n  he  had  felt  during  the  day.    Towar«b 
nighl,  however,  Dick's  heart  sdnk  again,  for  he  came 
upon  innumerable  buffalo  tracks,  among  which  those  of 
the  horses  soon  became  mingled  up,  so  that  he  lost  them 
altogether.    Hoping  to  find  them  agaip  more'easily  by 
broad  daylight,  he  went  to  the  nearest  clump  of  willows 
he  could  find,  and  encamped  for  the  night. 

Remembering  the  use  formerly  made  bf  the  tall  ^. 
lows,  he  set  to  work  to  construct  a  covering  to  protect 
him  fh)m  the  dew.    As  he  had  no  bhmket  or  buffalo- 
skin,  he  used  leaves  and  grass  instead,  and  found  it  a 
better  shelter  thai,  he  had  expected,  especiaUy  when  the 
fire  was  lighted,  and  a  pannikm  of  hot  sugar  and  water 
smoked  at  his  feet ;  but  as  no  game  was  to  be  found,  he 
was  again  compelled  to  sup  off  unripe  berries.    Before 
lying  down  to  rest  he  remembered  his  resolution,. an<^ 
palling  out  the  little  Bible,  read  a  portion  of  it  by  the 


'  i 


'.  -^I  I^WW»?T«.;  ;^*i 


S^'^ 


1^; 


»^CK  ^ONO  ^  SAHD-PLAINS.  187 

fitful  blaze  of  the  fire,  and  felt  great  comfort  in  its  blessed 
words.  It  seemed  to  him  Hke  a  friend  with  whom  h« 
could  converse  in  the  midst  of  his  loneliuesB. 

The  plunge  into  the  river  having  broken  Dick's  pipe 
and  destroyed  his  tobacco,  he  now  felt  the  want  of  that 
luxury  very  severely,  and,  never  having  wanted  it  be- 
fore, he  was  greatly  surprised  to  find  how  mhch  Be  had 
become  enslaved  to  the  habit.  It  cost  him  more  than!* 
an  hour's  rest  that  night,  the  craving  for  his  wonted 
pipe. 

The  sagacious  reader  wUl  doubtless  not-  fau'  here  to 

ask  himself  the  question,  whether  it  is  wise  in  man  to 

create  in  himself  an  unnatural  and  totaUy  unnecessary 

appetite,  which  may,  and  oaen  does,  entail  hours— ay, 

sometimes  months-of  exceeding  discomfort;  but  we' 

would  not  for  a  moment  presume  to  suggest  such  a 

question,  to  him.    We  have  a  distinct  objection  to  the 

ordiMry  method  of  what  is  caUed  "Mf^ibg  a  moral." 

It  is  much  better  to  leave  wise  men  t»  this  for  them- 

selves. 

Next  morning  Dick  rose  with  the  sun,  and  started 
without  breakfast,  preferring  to  take  his  chance  of  find- 
ing a  bird  or  animal  of  some  ki6d  before  long,  to  feedmg 
again  on  sour  ^berries.  *  He  was  disappointed,  however, 
in  finding  the  I  tracks  of  his  companions.  The  ground 
Jfir«?  was  hard  «nd.sandy,^tha<rlHtte  or  ^  imp^^g-" 
of  a  distinct  kind  was  made  on  il;  ^„d,  as  buffaloes 


/• 


\ 


188  DDOK^S  SUFFSBIN08  AMD  80RBOW.8. 

,'  .  »  -    -. 

h&d  trftversed  it  in  all  directioiu,  he  wta.  soon  utterij 
bewildered.  He  thonght  it  possible  Wt,  by  running 
out  for  several  milerin  a  straight  line,  and  then  taking 
a  wide  circuit  roiind,  he  might  find  the  .tracks  enterging 
Crom  the  confusion  made  by  the  bjy^ffaloes.    But  he /was 

again  disappointed,  for  the  bu^o  tracks  still  conthiued, 
,  abd  the  ground  became  less  capable  of  showing  a  foot^ 
print. 

Soon  Dick  began  to  feel  so  ill  and  weak  from  e^g 
such  poor  fare,  that  he  gave  up  all  hope  of  discovering 
the  tracks,  and  was  compelled  to  .push  forward''at  his 
utmost  speed  in  order  to  reach  a  less  barren  district, 
where  he  might  procure  fresh  meat;  but  the  further  he 
advanced  the  worse  and  more  sandy  did  the  district 
become.    For  several  days  he  pushed  on  over  this  arid 
waste  without  seeing  bird  or  beast,  and,  to  add  to  his 
mi^ry,  hQ  Med  at  last  to  find  water.    For  a  daj*and 
a  night  he  wandered  about  in  a  burning  feyei^  and  hif 
throat  so  parched  that  he  was  almost  8u£E[)cat^  '  To- 
wards the  close  of  the  second  day  he  saw  a  slight  line 
of  bushes  away  down  iii  a  holjpw  on  his  right.    With 
fager  steps,  he  staggered  towards  them,  and,  on  drawing 
near,  beheld  —  blessed  sight  I  —  a  stream  of  water  glanc- 
ing in  the  beams  of  the  setting  sun.         -     .  . 

Dick  tried  to  shout  for  joy,  but  his  parched  throat 
refused  to  give  utterance  to  the  voice    *It  mattered 


"^oT;  -^ertn^  an  W  remiunuig  sti-ength  he  rushed 


\ 


«.-■ 


»n*': 


■y-. 


s»  !f-r 


•^w. 


{dick's   8UFFEBIN08   AND    BORROWS.  189 

dojra  the  Sathk,  dropped  his  rifle,  and  pranged  head-^ 
'it>remo9t  into  the  stream.  r" 

The  first  mouthfyl  sent  a  thrUI  of  ho^^to  his  fieart ; 
it  was  salt  as  brine  I  ^t 

The  p<tof  youth's:^  of  bitterness  wa*  how  fuU  to 
overflowing.    Crawling  out  of  the  stFeam,  he  sii^k  dowii 
^^  on  the  bank  in  a  species  of  let^rgic  tcJrpor,  froin\which 
he  awakened  next  morning  in  a  raging  fever.    De%ium 
.fijoon  rendered  him  insensible  to  his  sufferings.     The 
Bun  rose  like  a  bal^of  fire,  and  sbone  down  with  scorch- 
ing power  on  the  arid  plain.     What  mattered  it  tq^ 
Dicfc?^  He  was  far  away  in  the  shady  groves  of  the 
Mustang  VaUey,  chasing  the  deer  at  times,  but  more 
frequenUy  cooling  his  limbs'  an%fiporting  with  ftrusoe 
in  the  bright^  blue  lake.    Now  he  was  at  lys  mother's 
Wttage,  teUing  her  how  ha.  had  thought  of  her  wlien  ^ 
fer  away  on  the'prairie,  and  what  a  bright,  sweet  word 
it  was  she  had  whispered^  his  ear,— so  unexpectedly, 
too.    Auon  he  was  scouring  over  the  plains  on  horse- 
back, with  the  savages  at  his  heels;  and  at  such  times  - 
Dick  would  spring  with  ahnost  supernatural  strength 
from  the  ground,  and  run  madly  over  the  burning 
plain  J  but,  as  if  by  a  species  of  faseinafion,  he  always 
returned  to  the  salt  river,  and  sank  exhausted  by  i\s 
side,  or  plunged  helplessly  into  its  waters. 

These  sudden  'imihenrions  nsuaUy  msstored  him  for  a, 

abort  Jime  to  reason,  and  be  would  ^wl  up  the  bank 


/ 


-'^ 


190 


gbusoe's  setubn. 


and  gnaw  a  m^el  of  the  maple  sugar ;  but  he  could 
not  eat  much,  for  it^was  in  a  toi^h,  compact  Cake,  which 

/  his  jaws  had  not  pow^to  break.  All  that  daj  and 
the  next  night  he  lay  on  the  banks  of  the  salt  stream, 
or  rushed  wildly  over  the  plaiuK^  It  was  about  noon  of 
the  second  day  after  iiis  ^  attack  that  he  crept  slowly 
out  of  the  water,  into  which  he  had  plunged  a  few 
seconds  before.     His  mind  was  restored,  but  he  felt  an 

.  indescribable  sensation  of  wt^abiesSf-^^^pemed  to  him 
t<^  be  the  approach  of  death.  ^Creeping  towards  the 
place  where  his  rifle  la^,  he  fell  exhausted  beside  it, 
and  laid  his  cheek. on  the  Bible,  which  had  fallen  out 
of  his  pocket  there. 

While  his  eyes  were  cloded  in  tl  dreamy  sort  of  half- 
waking  slumber,  he  felt  the  rough,  hairy  coat  of  an  ani- 
mal brush  against  his  forehead.  The  idea  of  being  torn 
to  pieces  by  wolves  flashed  instantly  across  his  mind, 
and  with  a  shriek  of  terror  he  sprang  up, — to  be  almost 
overwhelmed  by  the  caresses  of  his  faithful  dog. 

Y^s,  there  he  was,  bounding  round  his  master,  bark- 
ing and  whining,  and  giving  vent  to  every  possible  ex- 
pression of  canine  joy  I 


»i 

tf 

♦  • 

'  n 

• 

X 

. 

' 

V*  :«  -X-JS, 


*"™»«'»  >'«tTAT«  ADTBKTIJBES.  in 


CHAPTER   XIV.. 

C™»,..  Beta.  „d  hi.  IM™,.  i,,^^  ^         ^^ 
'"'*  "  •■"■J'j'»'' Ebb-Cru,™  „,e.  Him. 
The  »e»n,  bj  wh,^  Cruaoe  managed  ,„  e«.pe  W 
to  two-legged  CPU.™,  and  „j„i„  ij,  ™,.er,  ^o J^" 
«parate  and  special  noUce.  .       ' 

In  .he  struggle  will,  ,he  flUlea  ho«e  and  Indian 

^»t  ^hed  .„  death,  and  the  instan.  «.e  mZ 
•g.  v.*„ee     Crusoe,  however,  lad  been  so  weU  used 
,    ""^  "'.'"°'  "-y  "■«  ""J^  of  the  Mustang  VaUey,  that 
«T.  bound.   M^eover,  he  uttered  cue  of  ta  oriTut 

„       ■    '^'  "^^  ««»«  ■»™«"'  the  other  lndi««  c«ne 
»P.  -^  one  of  .h«n  turned  aside  to  the  «soue.    ThU 

"™>Bobu«„f.his  h,  struck  CruLabWrd.: 
l»ad  flat  sent  him  sptawlifg  on  the  gn«. 


'  lilfia(^t$iiMiK<4>:l>A3»««l«^' 


;;■ 


■7f 


192  cbusoe's  pbivatb  adventu^bs. 

NTIle  rest  of  tie  savages,  as  we  have  seen,  continued 
(J .to  pursuit  of  Dick  untU  he  leaped  into  the  river;  then 
they  returned,  took  the  saddle  and  bridle  off  his  dead 
horse,  and  rejoined  their  comrades.    Here  they  held  a 
court-martial  on  Crusoe,  who  was  now  bound,  foot  and 
muzzle,  with  cords.    Some  were  for  killing  him ;  others, 
whd  admirpd  his  noble  aj^pearance,  immense  size,  and 
courage,  thought  it  would  be  well  to  carry  him  to  their 
village  and  keep  him.    There  was  a  pretty  violent  dis- 
pute on  the  subject;  but  at  length  it  was  'agreed  that 
they  should  spare  his  life  in  thq  mean  tune,  and  perhaps 
have  a  dog-dance  round  him  when  they  got  to  their  wig- 
wams. 

This  dance,  of  which  Cruso^  was  to  be  the  chief 
though  passive  performer,  is  peculiar  to  some  of  the 
tribes  east  of  the  Eocky  Mountains,  and  consists  in 
killing  a  dog  and  cutting  out  its  Uver,  which  is  after- 
wards sliced  into  shreds  or  strings  and  hung  on  a  pole 
about  the  height  of  a  man's  head.    A  band  of  warriors 
then  come  and  dance  wUdly  round  this  pole,  and  each 
4»ne  in  succession  goes  up  to  the  raw  liver  and  bites  a 
piece  off  it,  without,  however,  putting  his  hands  near 
it    Such  is  the  dog-dance,  and  to  such  was  poor  Cru- 
soe destined  by  his  fierce  captors,  especially  by  the  onft 
whose  throat  still  bor«  very  evident  marks  of   hi* 

toeth.  '  '      ^ 

But  Crusoe  was  much  too  dever  a  dog  to  be  dis- 


_1^ 


193 
P««d  of  in  eo  dfag«Bng  a  iMnner     n    v  . 

1-e  hopefe«„e»  of  M,  eL  l^.      1.    '^' '"" 

"^  lave  «en  U.e  „,,  i„  ^^n"'  '"  "^  »-«  "k" 
cored,  and  to  f„„,  „,„  '     ^"*  "^  """'^  "■>  «e- 

«  le  hoog  .  J"  dT  ""  ?  '^*^'  "  •  "-"^ 
«™g«I  "^         ""^  *»  «"''"«  of  one  of  40 

This  particular  party  of  Tn^;™ 
aeip  oonmjes  who  w^«  •  *''°  '•*™  "^ 

^«y  8-ioped  awa,  o  J^.e'^':;:  '^^  -2"  IT 
they  encamped,  Crusoe  w«»  ♦!,  ^^*''  ''^^^ 

-P  »f  «»*  tm  r^^^C  he  »""  "■■"  •  "■"• 
«««  the  horee  of  hi.       .         '^  ™»««»i»  Omma 

-  a™  nunn*»  h^  ^.e  Indii  ou^  wTh         ^  '^°'*' 
"7^  hin,  had  no.  an  oM  ™Z  t^   ^^"^ 

•»-a  ntUe  naked  ere«„»  ,.„^  ^^  "f  l"  gnM. 
^'"^'^^■^Up^i.ionun.™^^ 


r 


Sgi^,y,iimm'iittmmi^sa».-.' 


m^mm 


mmmmim 


^94      ceusoe's  escape  f»om  the  ikdians. 

'  for  eating  purposes,  Crusoe  Ipened  his  jaws  and  took  it. 
An  awful  crash  was  foUowfed  by  two  crunches  — ^d  it 

•  was  gone;  and  Crusoe  looked  up  ia  the  old  squaw's 
face  with  a  look  that  said  plamly, «  Another  of  the  same, 
please,  and  as  quick  as  possible."    The  old  woman 
gave  him  another  and  then  a  lump  of  meat,  which  lat- 
ter  went  down  with  a  gulp— but  he  coughed  after  it! 
and  it  was  weU  he  didn't  choke.    After  this  the  squaw 
left  him,  and  Crusoe  spent  the  remainder  of  that  night 
gnawing  the  cords  that  bound  him.     So  diUgent  was 
he  that  he  was  free  before  morning,  and  walked  delib- 
erately out  of  the  tent.    Then  he  shook  himself,  and 
with  a  yell  that  one  nught  have  fancied  was  intended  for 
defiance,  he  bounded  joyfully  away,  and  was  soon  out  of 

sight. 

To  a  dog  with  a  good  appetite  which  had  been  on 
short  allowance  for  several  days,  the  mouthful  given  to 
him  by  the  old  squaw  was  a  mere  nothing.    All  that 
day  he  kept  bounding  over  the  plain  from  bluflF  to  bloflf 
in  search  of  somethmg  to  eat,  but  found  nothing  until 
dusk,  when  he  pounced  suddenly  and  most  unexpectedly 
on  a  prairie-hen  fast  asleep.    In  one  moment  its  life  was 
gone.    In  less  than  a  minute  its  body  was  gone  too— 
featiiers  and' bones  and  aU-down  Crusoe's  ravenous 

throat  - 

^On  the  identical  spot  Crusoe  laid  down  and  alept  like 


a  top  for  four  hours.    At  the  end  of  tiiat  time  he  jumped 


'r-v 


IHK  Bx-innoir. 


19S 


■*-  ,'"''**  •  ««P  «f  *i»  Ibat  somehow  h»i  b«„ 
Jnd«,     He-  e^e  to  the  «Jge  of  the  river,  took  pr^. 

It  00,.  hto  .  g«,d  ded  of  ™.^g  «t<,„,  ^  j„,  ^ 
toul,  and  .t  was  nearly  dark  beforeg.e  res„n,ed  1 

^-  we  have  Shown,  „««.,  ^  „,  ^^  ^* 

It  is  quite  impossible  to  deseribe  th*  intense  i„. 
wjueh  ffled  Diol.  heart  on  again  behold^Wv^ 
""    Onl,  those  who  have  lost  and  fo»d  itZZ 

h^  hin.  «  weU  as  ho  conH  p«,r  feUow,  i:  ^^^ 
^-s,  then  he  wept,  a^b,,^,,^,;,,^^'^ 

Tiis  was  a  consamnation  that  took  Crusoe  ouita 
^.W  having  seen  his  master  in  ,X  I 
before  he  seemed  to  think  jtfl«  OMba  w..  „i.Jl 

^^^*»*-«  ™»dasrii°d  ^^f- 

"Wdh^fiL     But  a.  Dick  h.;  quite  s^'::,' 


's*  /•■ 


\ 


T-ijist?.LuV»i-.-iiukii.--'J'i-    .     !    ■..  . 


.fr 


jK-WKIIillflfiia^'-' 


'•'TR'^'f 


i' 


l>- i 


jgg  FBBBH  WATBB. 

X  a..«.ih1  with  a  look  of  alarm; 
BotionloM,  ke  went  f'™"*  "''"  '  ,     a>eD 

raffed  him  once  or  twiee  and  whined  piteonely ,  uie 
;:"^^noseintheair.ndnt.erednlong-.oh... 

*S:t  seemed  «,  «vi,e  Pick,  fo.  he  moved,  »d 

^ri™  diffleulty  ^  up, .»  *e  do^s  evident  «Ue£ 

;;lTn„  donht  whatever  that  Crusoe  learned  an 

,    ^„  that  day,  and  was  firmly  eonvmced 

""Tl  rrrheTe^re  for  a  feinting-flt  is  a  meU 
thenceforth  that  the  De^  cur 

'ancholy  y«U.   So  easy  is  itfSr  the  w.est  of  dogs  asweU 

as  men  to  fall  into  gross  error  I  «  .^^  ^ood 

^         ..  ao?^  Dick   in  a  feeble  voice, «  dear  gooa 

Zwr.x--'^-'""'-''-^""""'"^ 

"*"«  Dig,-  said  Dick,  pointing  to  the  sand.  _ 

for  he  had  never  heard  the  word    <ug 

■^Z  ponae^d  a  minute ,  then  a  thought  strn*  him. 
He  t^nP  a  Httle  of  the  sand  with  his  fingers  and, 

Mintini!  to  *6  hole  cried,  «««"•  »'^' W  ' 
U^lld  heunhonsed  ^""^ -*  •'"^  »\t: 


^-eatarea  at^  that  Jgora  Qi  g^'"^'*""L    '  ^  ^     .  ^  __, 
::nuy.  he  comm«.eed  to  dig  ^«-^'^ 
eve,,  now  «.d  then  stopping  fo.  .  mom»t  «^  4oT 


BOPB   BETimiTS. 


m 


m  into  tiio  sand^ 


ing  in  his  nose,  and  snnffing  interrogativelj,  us  if  he 
fully  expected  to  find  a  buffalo  at  the  bottom  of  it. 
Then  he  would  resume  again,  one  paw  after  another,  so 
iast  that  you  could  scarce  see  th?m  going— "hand 
over  hand,"  as  sailors  would  have  caUed  it— while  the 
sand  flew  out  between  his  hind  legs  in  a  continuous 
flhdwer.    When  the  sand  accumulated  so  much  beWnd 
him  as  to  impede  his  motions  he  scraped  it  out  of  his 
'  way,  and  set  to  work  again  with  t^nfo|^  earnestness. 
After  a  good  whUe  he  paused  and  looked  up  at  Dick 

with  an  «it-won't^o,.I.fear,.there'fl-nothing.here''  ex- 
pression on  his  face. 

«  Seek  him  out,  pup  I "  repeated  Dick. 

"Oh I  very  good,"  mutely  answered  the  dog,  and 
went  at  it  again,  tooth  and  nail,  harder  than  ever. 

In  the  couree  of  a  quarter  of  an  hour  there  was  a 
deep  yawning  hole  in  the  sand,  into  which  Dick  peered' 
with  intense  anxiety.     The.  bottom  appeared  slightly 
damp.     Hope  now  reanimated  Dick  Varley,  and  by 
various  devices  he  succeeded  in  getting' the  dog  to 
Bcrape  away  a  sort  of  tunnel  fiom:  the  hole,  into  which 
he  might  roll  hinfself  and  put  down  his  lips  to  drink 
when-the  water  should  rise  high  enough.    Impatiently 
and  anxiously  he  lay  watching  the  moisture  slowly 
accumuhite  in  the  bottom  of  the  hole,  drop  by  drop, 

ber,  and  dreamed  4hat  Crusoe's  return  was  a  dream. 
17* 


Q 


"^1 


•hiBBmj 


eaM 


idd 


FOOD   OBTAINBl). 


^  ^  he  .«  done  -Hpin  perUUng  for  ™.t  rf 

"men  he  avakened  ti.e  Me  w»  h«lf  foU  of  dear 
™,er,  and  Crasoew^  lapping  »g««4Jy-  _^ 

«lU,pupl»  he  .houtea.M  h^oeptdown  to  the 

kole  and  pot  hU  trembUng  Bps  to  the  ™ter.  It™ 
rnll.h,Lt  drinkable,  »d  a,  Dick  d™nk  deepty^ 
it  he  esteeW  it  at  that  mon.ent  ^>^  ^'^ 
Here  he  lay  for  half  an  honr  dtemately  dnnfang  and 
'  garing  in  surprise  at  hh  own  emulated  ^=age  a.  xe- 

fleeted  in  the  pool. 

The  same  afternoon,  Crusoe,  in  a  prlyate  hnntmgex- 

e„^„„  of  hU  own,  discovered  and  caught  a  prame-h^ 
which  he  quieay  proceeded  to  d'™"  °- «■«  J^ . 
„hen  Dick,  who  saw  what  had  occurred,  wh^Ued  <« 

■^b^dience  was  engrained  in  e,e^  abre  of  Crusoe', 
cental  and  corporeal  being.  He  did  not  merdy  an- 
,wer  atoncetothecaU-he  v-mgto  .t,  leavmg  the 

orairie-hen  nntasted.  ... 

"  Fetch  it,  pup,"  cried  Dick  eagerly  «  the  dog  came 

"^n  a  few  moment,  the  hen  was  at  hi.  feet.    Dick', 

circ»ms.«.ces  could  not  brook  a>e  delay  of  cooke^i 

„^  g^^  the  bird  with  hi.  knife  and  drank  the  bloo^ 


.„d^™p.vethe«e.h  to  the  log.  »*  BrffleTB^r 
pool  ag«n  for  «.other  draught.    Ah  I  think  not,  n-der, 


it 


FOOD   OBTAIKBD. 


i99 


that  although  we  have  treated  this  subject  in  a  slight 
vein  of  pleasantly,  because  it  ended  well,  that  therefore 
our  tale  is  pure  ficUon.  Not  only  are  Indians  glad  to 
satisfy  the  urgent  cravings  of  hunger  with  raw  flesh, 
but  many  civilized  men  and  deKcately  nurtured,  have 
do^  the  same -.ay,  and  doubtless,  wiU  do  the  same 
again,  as  long  as  enterprising  and  fearless  men  shall 
go  forth  to  dare  the  dangers  of  flood  and  field  in  the 
wild  places  of  our  wonderful  world  1 

Crusoe  had  finished  his  share  of  the  feast  before  Dick 
returned  from  the  pool  Then  master  and  dog  lay 
down  together  side  by  side  and  feU  into  ft  long,  deep, 
peaceful  slumber. 


the  dog  came 


»\^_5i:/> • -V ■  -,»:*?. :  ■?  . 


4  . 


'."**.'& 


mmtm 


•   200 


BETUBNma-  HEALTH. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Hei^th  and  Happiness  return.  — Incidents  of  the  Jovxavy.  —  A  Bof- 
fido  Shot— A  WUd  Horse  "creased."— Dick's  Battle  with  • 
Mustang. 

Dick  Varlet's  fears  and  troubles,  in  the  mean  tune, 
were  ended.  On  the  day  following  he  awoke  refreshed 
and  happy — so  happy  and  light  at  heart,  as  he  felt  the 
glow  of  returning  health  coursing  through  his  veins,  that 
he  fancied  he  must  have  dreamed  it  all.  In  fact,  he  was 
so  certain  that  his  miiscles  were  strong  that  he  endea- 
vored to  leap  up,  but  wad  powerfully  convinced  of  his 
true  condition  by  the  miserable  stagger  that  resulted 
from  the  effort. 

However,  he  knew  he  was  recovering,  so  he  rose,  and 
thanking  Gk)d  for  his  recovery  and  for  the  new  hope 
(iutt%as  raised  in  his  heart,  he  went  down  to  the  pool 
and  drank  deeply  of  its  water.  Then  he  returned,  and, 
sitting  down  beside  his  dog,  opened  the  Bible  and  read 
long — and,  for  the  first  time,  eamestlff  • — the  story  of 
Christ's  love  for  sinful  man.  •  He  at  last  fell  asleep- 
over  the  book,  and  when  he  awakened  felt  so  much  re- 
^^eshedrm  body  «ndmmd  that  he  detenmned  to  attempts 


to  pursue  his  journey. 


iji 


S'T 


s 


■        Ho  Uk  ,ot  proceeded  ftr  When  he  oune  ,pon  , 
eoW  of  p^ri,^^    p^„  ^  „,^  ^  Po;^^ 

«ta^  cunoM  Me  «^,„^  b„.  J,  ^,.        Tf„ 
befi.«,  „e  pari  4f  it  »„.     ne«  c«.ta«.  J„ 

Cn,««,  h«e.er,  .„„„  „„^a  .he  dead  ^i^ 

s^of  fresi  water,  and  Dick  ki„ed  a  tnrke,.  JZ 
ho  dete^nnod  to  .pend  a  conpfe  „f  a.,.  ^  ^ 

«r^    At  the  end  of  .hat  thno  he  ag^n  „.  „uth^ 
™  abk  only  to  advance  five  nUle,  when  he  b»ke 

It,  I"  ««•.  i.  bec^n.  evident  to  bin.  that  h,  ^ 
k.ve  a  longer  period  „f  ,b„,„^  J 

hope  to  eon^ne  his  jonmey,  h„e  to  do  so  witholtC 
™.  .n,po.s,b.e.  Fortnnately  aero  was  plent,  of  wC 
-  b^eonrse  Jayalong  u.e  nubgin  J.,J^]Z^ 

mue  I.e  was  plodding  hekva,  and  wearil/  abng, 
pondern>g  a^e  «,ings,  he  ,^e  ,„  the  b.ow  of  .  „"  « 
W  wb.cb  h.,bebdd  a  most  n«M^M„ent  view  of  ^^ 

tbe  bonbon,  with  a  stream  meandering  .h™„gh  iTLd 
..-«..  glonons  sight,  but  the  m«t  gh.ri..a  .««=.  ta 


i. 


fipiiiPMmppiiippni 


309 


A   mKVPJ  SHOT. 


it  to  Dick,  at  that  time,  was  a  fat  buffalo  which  stood 
grazing  not  a  hundred  yards  off.    The  wind  was  blow-  ' 
ing  towards  him,  so  .that  the  animal  did  not  soent  him, 
and,  as  he  came  up  very  slowly,  and  it  was  turned  away,    • 
it  did  ndt  see  him* 

Crusoe  would  have  sprung  forward  in  an  instant,  but  . 
his  master's  finger  imposed  silence  and  caution.  Trem-  . 
bling  with  eagerness  Dick  sank  flat  down  in  the  grasSf 
cocked  both  barrels  of  his  piece,  and,  resting  it  on  his 
left  hand  with  his  left  elbow,  on-  the  ground,  he  waited 
until  the  Jtnimal  should  pr,esent  its  side.  In  a  few  sec- 
«>^ds  it  moved;  Dick's  eyes  glanced  along  the  bairel, 
but  li  tre^abled  —  his  wjii^d  steadiness  of  aim  was  gone. 

\-  '  .-lit*''  '     _ 

He  fired,  dqd  the  buffalo  sprang  off  in  terror.  With  a 
groan  of  desj[)air  he  fired  again,  — ^  almost  recklessly^,  >— 
and  the  buffaldi,  fell  I  It  rose  once  or  twice  iind,;:jtuHl^  - 
bled  forward  a  f<^  paces,  then  it  fell  again.  Meanwhile 
Dick  re-loaded  with  trembling  hand,  and  advanced  to 
;^ve  it  another  shot,\ut  it  was  not  needful,  the  bt^ffalo 
was  already  dead.        \      .   "     ■     .  ' 

"  Now,  Cinispe,"  said  ^ick,  sitting  doWn^ 
fi&lo's  shoulder,  and  pllfthg  his  favorite 
*'  we're  all  right  at  last.    Ytou  and  I  shal 
time  o't,  pup,  from  this  time  fVatd."  ' ' 

Dici:  paused  for  breath,  and\Crusoe  .wagged  his  tidl 
looked  as  if  to  say  —  pshaw  !\"  at  i//" 

ye  ^ihat  it  is,  reader,  ini  of  no  nie  at  all  (d 


^1 


y 


DICK  AND   CHU50B  pONVE&gB.  ^Qd 

^^ri^g«asif,"when  we  teU  jon  what  Crusoe 

1*y ''  ""^  ^^""^^  ^  'y««  whatever, -if 
"f^guage  in  a  tailj   in  a  cocked  «»r;  in  a 

«.er6  «  language  in  any  terrestrial  ^g  at  all,  apart 
rrm  that  which  flows  from  the  tongue-then  Crusoe 
^oie.  Do  we  not  speak  at  this  mofoent'  to  you  f  and 
»f  80  then  teU  me,  wherein  lies  the  differepce  between  a 
written  fe/ter  and  a  gi^U^  ^-? 

Yes,  Crusoe  spoke.  He  said  tp  Dick  as  phun  as  dog 
could  8,ly  ,t,  slowly  and  emphatically,  "That's  my  opin- 
ion  precisely,  Dick.  Tou're  the  dearest,  most  beloved, 
jofiiestfellowthat  ever  walked  on  two ,  legs,  you  are  • 
and  whatever-s  your  opinion  is  mine,  no  matter  Aou,  ab-' 
surd  it  may  be."  . 

\  Dick  evidently  understood  him  perfectly,  for  he 
laugheda.  he  looked  at  him  :::i  patted  him  on  the  head^^ 
and  caUed  hm,  a  ''funny  dog."  Then  he  continued  his 
oiscourse— ;  ^s 

"  Tes,  pop,  well  ie  our  amp  here  for  .  long  bit 

M^ u.  \m,  b««if„,  p,.i„.  ^^  ^^ ^ ^;^ 

™»**n  to.leepi„  yo.  and  me,ji.t  i„  yon  dump  o- 
tree^  not  a  .tone',  .&„„  ,o  onr  rigH  wtere  well  W 
.  ™  o  pore  water  b«id,  ».  and  bo  near  onr  bnffldo 

«  ae«n.ew    For,  ye  «e,  we'U  need  u,  watoh  bin. 
le.t  the  wolve.  i^,  a  notion  ,„  ^,,  .,.,      ,^^^ 


'^.       ,| 


*^r^,  pop.    Then  ru  akin  him  ^hen  I  get  stnmg 


^ 


\ 


•"TT- 


mmmmiim 


■  ';..• 


204    f 


XHS  ENCAUFHEMT. 


enough,  wliichll  be  in  a  day  or  two  I  hop^  and  well 
pat  one  half  of  the  skin  below  us  and  t'other  half  above 
us  i'  the  camp,  an'  sleep,  an'  eat,  an'  take  it  easy  for  a 
week  or  two — won't  we  pup?" 

"  Hoora-a-a-y  I "  shouted  Crusoe,  with  a  jovial  wag 
of  his  tail,  that  no  human  arm  with  hat,  or  cap,  or  ker- 
chief ever  equalled.  ? 

Poor  Dick  Varley  I  He  smiled  to  think  how  earnestly 
he  had  been  talking  to  the  dog,  but  he  did  not  cease  to 
do  it,  for,  although  he  entered  into  discourses,  the  drift 
of  which  Crusoe's  limited  education  did  not  permit  him 
to  follow,  he  found  comfort  in  hearing  the  sound  of  his 
own  voice,  and.  in  knowing  that  it  fell  pleasantly  on 
another  ear  in  ihat  lonely  wilderness. 
<^  Our  hero  now  set  about  his  preparations  as  vigorously 

as  he  could.  He  cut  out  the  bufialo's  tongue — a  mat- 
ter  of  great  difficulty  to  one  in  his  weak  state— and 
carried  it  to  a  pleasant  spot  near  to  the  stream  where 
the  turf  was  level  and  green,  and  decked  with  wild 
flowers.    Here  he  resolved  to  make  his  camp. 

His  first  care  was  to  select  a  btish  whos^B  branches 
were  long  enough  to  Ufl^  a  canopy  over  his  head  wh^n 
bent,  and  the  ends  thrust  into  the  ground.  The  com- 
pleting of  this  exhausted  him  greatly,  but  after  a  rest 
he  resumed  his  labors.  The  next  ihffag  was  to  light  a 
fire— a  comfort  which  he  had  not  enjoyed  for  many 


weary  days.    Not  that  he  required  it  for  warmth,  for 


DEUOionie  AMD  OOHTOBTS.         ^       JOS 

r  «be  w«uier  wm  ex^„ely  „^  but  he  required  il  to 
cook  «th,  and  the  mere  «>&  of  a  blaze  in  .  dark  ilace 
»  amos.  heaiM.eeri„g  thing  «,  eve.y  one  know/ 

men  ae  fire  waa  lighted  he  Uled  hi,  pannikin  at 
flH.  b,«.k  «.d  pnt  it  ™,  to  boil,  and,  cutting  seveml 

y  ".^^  '°°^^'  "»  «-»  •*««  «.ke,  th™„^ 
Aem  and  .et  then,  „p  befo«  the  fire  to  reaat.  By  tW, 
hme  the  water  wa,  boUiog,  «,  b,  ^^  .^  ^  ^./ 

';  <»»  »  »  <lo.„g.  Into  the  pannikin  he  p„t  a  I„n,p 
^Pte  sugar  and  atirred  it  about  with  a  .tick,  and 
^  .t  I.  .eeu-ed  to  hin.  even  better  Uuu.  tl.  or 
coffee.    Itwasahsolutelydelidousl 

KeaU,  one  has  no  notion  what  he  e«,  do  if  he  maiea 
>leve«j,W.    Thehun„,nn.indisanieelyhal.nced 

We  off  the  balance  can  be  made  to  beBe,e  ahnost  any 
a«ng.aa  we  see  n>  the  case  of  some  poor  monomaniac; 
2  have  fended  that  «.ey  were  made  of  .B  .ort.7 
ftmgs-gIa„.ndpo,celain,.ndsuchlike.  Nowonder 
*»  that  poor  Dick  Varley,  after  «,  m„ch  .uftring 
«.d  hardsh-p,  c«ne  to  regard  that  pamnkin  of  lot  syrup 
«  the  most  delicious  bevemge  he  ererdank. 

During  aU    th«K.   operations    Crusoe    «a   on  hfa 
luinnches  beside  him  and  loolc«l      t  a  . 

_^         t         -nil  ana  looted.     And  you  haven't 

__J^P"!  teen-Mi*^the  most  Oisgrn  ,„^^^— 

18 


j^i^J§ 


w 


206 


DELICACIES   AND    GOHFOBTS. 


way  in  which  that  ||og  manoeuvred  with  his  head  and 
face  I  He  opened  his  eyes  wide,  and  cocked  his  ears, 
and  turned  his  head  first  a  little  to  one  side,  then  a 
little  to  the  other.  Afler  that  he  turned  it  a  ^ood  deal 
to  one  side  and  then  a  good  deal  more  to  the  other. 
Then  he  brought  it  straight  and  raised  one  eye-brow  a 
little,  and  then  the  other  a  little,  and  then  both  together 
very  much.  Then,  wheh  Dick  paused  to  rest  and  did 
nothing,  Crusoe  looked  mild  for  a  moment,  and  yawned 
J  vociferously.  Presently  Dick  moved  —  up  went  the 
ears  again  and  Crusoe  came — in  military  parlance-— 
"  to  the  position  of  attention  I "  At  last  supper  wa8"teady 
and  they  began. 

Dick  had  purposely  kept  the  dog's  supper  back  from 
him  in  order  that  they  might  eat  it  in  company.  And 
between  every  bite  and  sup  that  Dick  took  he  gave  a 
bite' — but  not  a  sup  —  to  Crusoe.  Thus  lovingly  they 
ate  together ;  and,  when  Dick  lay  that  night  under  the 
willow  branches  looking  up  through  them  at  the  stars 
with  his  feet  to  the  fire  and  Crusoe  close  along  his  side, 
he  thought  it  the  best  and  sweetest  supper  he  ever  ate, 
and  the  happiest  evening  he  ever  spent  —  so  wonder- 
fully do  circumstances  modify  our  notions  of  felicity  I 

Two  weeks  afler  this  ^  Richard  was  himself  again." 
The  muscles  were  springy,  and  the  blood  coursed  fast 
jjmd  freOj  as  was  its  wont    Only  a  slight,  and,  perhapSj^^ 


.  A>;«,«  ,fx,  iji4f;a^'h|.i4idMssaffi^»^^ 


«I"8MO  A  WILD  BOBSK.  207 

U»n  thereof  an  aged  man  or  a  child.  '^ 

JD-ck  had  lefl^  Us  encampment  a  week  ago,  and  wa, 
7  «'»™o.ng  b^  rapid  atagea'  to..r<U  Z  RoT 
Mo^tam^cloaeltfoJlowJog  .ke  tadi  of  hi,  ,J^ 

»^u>  tut  heir  ared  w    '"  *■  -^  '- 

.bo„lde«,and  Jli^  rf    ™  """  ''"^'^  '»  "' 
Ao.  a  few  day  X  ""'"""^ '"' '"-' 

TT^K  1     ,.  ,         »'"«»snecfc.     Crusoe  was  also  laden 

Heh.dal...ehund>eofmea..l„„go„eaeh,ideJur 
For  some  thne  past  nnmerous  hcrts  of  m.,.^ 

-Mbo^  had  crossed  their  ^th.ard";rr^: 
^:-t;rrres:;:-rr 

-,  »a  their  hoofs  anndering  on  the";^  ^  m 
»«.  .uempt  to  crease  on.  npon  this  IZ^^^^ 


In  order  ,„  crease  a  wild  h,^  .fc,  fc„„^,  ^^.^ 


■v- 


4i:t|^fii£i^&^i«^i^^ 


'iJffiii.iiiiaaSlUBiBoMiBkiia^,. 


~»W^#^J^??!3?>iw!^5!P(PKsBF^ 


^jrf'"*™??P 


•  "r"s 


\ ~. 


208 


WILD  Ht>BS£S   OF  THE  FAB  WV^T. 


to  l?e  a  perfect  shot,  and  it  is  not  every  man  of  the  wort' 
who  carries  a  rifle  that  can  do  it  successfully.    Creasing 
consists  in  sending  a  bullet  through  the  gristle  of  the 
mustang's  neck,  just  above  the  bone,  so  as  tp  ston  the 
animal     If  the  baU  enters  a  hair's-breadth  too  low, 
the  horse  falls  dead  instantly.     If  it  hits  the  exact 
spot  the  horse  fall  as  instantaneously,  and  dead  to  all 
appearance;  but,  in  «eaHty,  he  is  only  stunned,  and  if 
left  for  a  few  minutes  will  rise  and  gallop  away  nearly. 
-  J  as  weU  as  ever.    When  hunters  crease  a  horse  succes*- 
fuUy  tUj  put  a  rope,  or  halter,  round  his  under  jaw, 
and  hobbles  round  his  feet,  so  that  wh^n  hf  risjs  he 
is  secured,  and,  after  considerable  trouble,  reduced  to 
obedience. 

The  mustangs  which  roam  in  wild  freedom  on  the 
prairies  of  the  far  west,  are  descended  from  the  noble 
Spanish  steeds  that  were  brought  over  by  the  wealthy 
cavaliers  wl|o  accompanied  Fernando  Cortez,  the  con- 
queror of  M^co,  in  his  expedition  to  the  new  world  in 
1518.  These  bold,  and,  we  may  add,  lawless  cavaUers, 
were  mounted  on  the  finest  horees  that  could  be  pro- 
cured from  Barbary  and  the  deserts  of  the  Old  World. 
The  poor  Indians  of  the  New  World  were  struck  with 
amazement  and  terrpr  at  these  awful  beings,  for,  never 
having  seen  horses  before,  they  beKeved  that  howe  and 
,  rider  were  one  animaL    During  the  wars  that  followed 


"many  oTtSe  Spaniards  were  killed  and  their  steeda 


»■*« 


.■-'I 


:i- 


'^»  HOB,™  o,  XBE  ,.«  ^,.' 


S09 
"woaded  imo  the  ^aa  of  the  „«„ 

«gion»  of  the  f„  „„^"  '"  ""'  ""*■«  «f  tie  «k,^ 

and  rednemg  than,  to  .  ..  ,    T        *  «™'"  °"°"'«» 
over.  .0  «.o*«J^  X"^  f.  «"*-d.    Not,  how 

-"ic  Of  «.eZ*i  :rr '""'  ""^  "^  **• 

quired  the  method  of  ™„,-  •  '  ''^'«™  "W""  «- 

"««»"— 88  the  noose  at  that  «.n^    i?     ,        "'T^.oi 

1«  head,  of  the  ^,  ^^  "*'"'>'  «"»"  »™ 
viou-y™.  «.:T:^  t  «■=-*«-,  h.vtogp„. 

poor  specimens  .„th.,erfr/^°'''"'^<»7 
""♦  om^.  th,  ih.e^'T^,  '^'"■"  Tndi»  uu.. 


18»         °'  *°  *^«  best  among  the 


^2'il^-^\^  K  U'*  l"^         *\  *. 


210 


WILD  ASSES. 


wad  ones  besides  being  weighted  with  a  rider,  so  that 
only  the  weak  abd  inferior  animals  are  captured.  And, 
secondly,  When/the  Indian  does, succeed  in  lasgoing  a 
first-rate ,  horse,  he  keeps  it  for  his  own  use.  -  Thus, 
those  who  have  not  visited  the  far  off  prairies. and  seen 
the  mustang  in  all  the  glory  of  nntrammdled  freedom, 
,  can  form  no  adequate  idea  of  its  beauty,  fleetaess,  and 
strength.  .  • 

The  horse,  however,  was  not  thie  only  creature  im- 
ported by  Cortez.     There  were  priests  in  his  army 
who  rode  upon  asses,  and,  although  we  cannot  imagine 
that  the  "  fathers  "  charged  with  the  cavaliers  and  wei^ 
unhorsed,  or,  rather,  un-assedsin  battle,  yet,  somehow, 
the  OBt^a  got  rid  of  their  riderflvand  joined  the  Spanish 
charters  in  their  joyous  bound  into  a  new  life  of  free*^. 
dom.    Hence  wild  asses  also  are  found  in  the  western 
prairies.     But  think  ^ot,'readeriOf  those  poor  misera- 
ble wretches  we  see  at  home,  which  seem  little  better 
than  rough  door-mats  sewed  up  and  stuffed ;  with  head, 
tail,,  and  legs  attached,  and  just  enough  of  life.infused  to 
make  them  move  1    No,  the  wild  ass  of  the  piairie  iff  a 
large,  powerful,  swift  creature.    He  has  the  same  long 
ears,  it  is  tru«,  and  the  same  hidepus,  exasperating   ray, 
and  the  8am6  tendency  to  flourish?  his  heels ;  but,  for  all 
that,  he  is  a  very  fine  auiinal,  and  often  wages  swcess- 
warfare  with  the  wild  hnwifl  I  .^^ ^___„____ 


Bnt  to  retnm.     The  next  drove  of  mnstangs  that 


DICK'S  PBBPARATI0W8.  ^H 

heart  leaned  un  «-  T  '"  *^^  P^-    kick's 

"Down,  p„p,..  ^,  „j„. 
cover  !,„,  „ie„  Iyi„g  ,„He  to        '  ^  "°°«''  ■" 

»i'W.  rifle  rZ    V'^  '"!"""'■' ''°'  ""^  -«"  "o. 

Here  he  made  his  amingemeote     m,™„-      . 
Piece  of  .h„«  ,h^  ^.^  ^  -^  ^  --  »a  e„.  off  . 
«  running  twse      Th.  i  "  ""  "»"^« 

-".a^nirnooT'^rjr"-'^'-'"'^ 

his  arm.  '  ^  *^^  *°  a  coil  ovejr 

He  abo  majea  yair  of  hohtks.,,,^^^,.       ,_ 
-Ae  Dreasrof  RS  «ni^  „  v.^  "***"P«eeif^bein"iB — 


..i*'^*.!^ 


212 


THE  SUOOESSFnii   SHOT* 


ing  dose  beliind  him.  In  a  few  miimtes  he  was  gaeing 
in  admiration  at  the  mustangs  which  were  now  within 
easy  shot,  and  utterly  ignorant  of  the  presence  of  man, 
for  Dick  had  taken  care  to  approach  in  such  a  way  that 
the  wind  did,not  carry  the  scent  of  him  in  their  direo- 

tion. 

And  well  nught  he  adioire  them.  The  wild  horse  of 
these  regions  is  not  very  large,  hut  it  is  exceedingly 
powerful,  with  prominent  eye,  sharp  nose,  distended 
nostril,  small  feet,  and  a  delicate  leg.  Their  beautiful 
manes  hung  at  great  length  down  their  arched  necks, 
and  their  thick  tails  swept  the  ground.  One  magnifi- 
cent fellftw  in  particular  attracted  Dick's  attention. 
It  was  of  a  rich  dark-brown  color,  with  black  mane  and 
tail,  and  seemed  to  be  the  leader  of  the  drove. 

Although  not  the  nearest  to  him,  he  resolved  to  crease 
this  horse.  It  is  said  that  creasing  generally  destroys  or 
damages  the  spirit  of  the  horse,  so  Dick  determined  to 
try  whether  his  powers  of  close  shooting  would  not  serve 
him  on  this  occasion.  Going  down  on  one  knee  he 
aimed  at  the  creature's  neck,  JUst  a  hair-breadth  above 
the  spot  where  he  had  been  told  that  hunters  usually 
hit  them,  and  fired.  The  effect  upon  the  group  was 
absolutely  tremendous.  With  wild  cries  and  snorting 
terror  they  tossed  their  proud  heads  m  the  air,  uncer- 
— km  for  oa»«wa^^in  which  direction  to  fly;  flien  there. 


was  a  rush^as  if  a  hurricane  swept  over  the  pbce,  and 
they  were  gone. 


>**»  . .  ' '  * 


WITB  A  HDSTANO.  213 

B«  the  bfewn  hone  wu  down     n-  1.  j-. 
«»«  the  „u,e„  !«,  ««j      :°"°-    ''"^  *<"  »»"«it 

between  U.e  shot  Li  TZ^     ^  °"°"''  '"^ 

•^  l«.«»ehe.  jo*  :'C  h  J7?  T""  ""'  ™ 
*«*«,U.ei.,,„l'"^^«"'»^;^..«».of 

enough.    If  the  hnr=o  i.  ^  "^  '^'W  not 

---™;tLirrh:ri:ir[r« 

°ff.  iad  not  Z  I.  '  ""*  ""'"'*  "^w  Men 

-it«„r«^;*rorrrr'"""'»^"^ 

tomd  it.  neck.  ^  '"™«^8  •*»  »<x«e 

-^!cMa7r  r-  ""^  ^-  •«" 

•wiU  tone.  T7'*\"'»'W»f "braking  down" 
--Z^nd^:„"^l--^-;-tben.       " 

-rhii-rther-f-"^:: 

'°«»thel».rb.^!''?°""  ''«'<"'»J«w,«d  U.en 


:Mfe^■ 


■^;'*ri 


^S'>r'?wR; 


214 


THE  BATTLEt 


~\ 


V     . 


epfly  hopeless  task.  We  have  already  seen  that  the 
hobblM  and  noose  in  the  lower  jaw  had  been  fixed,  so 
that  Dick  had  nothing  now  to  do  but  to  choke  his  caj^ti?*, 
and  tire  him  out,  whUe  Crusoe  remained  a  quiet,  tji^h 
excited  spectator  of  the  scene.  ^     ;^| 

But  there  seemed  to  be  no  possibility  of  chokinifjfiiis 
horse.  Either  the  muscles  of  his  ne<S^were  too  Strqng, 
or  there  was  something  .wrong  with  the  noose  which 
prevented  it  from  acting^  for  the  furious  creature 
dashed  and  bounded  backwards  and  sidewise  in  its 
terror  for  nearjy  an  hour,  dragginttBick  after  it,  till 
he  was  ahnost  exhausted,  and  yet,  «t  thp  end  of  that 
time,  although  flecked  with  foam  and  panting  with 
terror,  it  seemed  as  strong  as  ever.  Dick  held  both 
lines,  for  the  short  one  attached  to  its  lower  jaw  gave 
him  great  power  over  it.  At  last  he  thought  of  seeking 
assistance  from  his  dbg. 

«  Crusoe,"  he  cried,  *'  lay  hold,  pup." 
The  dog  seized  the  long  line  in  his  teeth,  and  pulled 
with  all  his  might.  At  the  same  moment  Dick  let  go 
the  short  line  and  threw  all  his  weight  upon  the  lorig 
one.  The  noose  tightened  suddenly  under  this  strain, 
and  the  mustang,  with  a  gasp,  fell  choking  to  the  ground. 
Dick  had  often  heard  of  the  manner  in  which  the 
Mexicans  "break"  their  horses,  so  he  determined  to 
ibandon  ihfr  method  whidi  had  already  ahnost  worn  hinL 
out,  and  adopt  the  other,  as  far  as  the  means  in  his  power 


r 


sr 


L 


•     'Ft 

^t^  '  "''«'"»-«'"«*.  «".  U.e  hobble,,  ..^: 
th,  short  h„e  or  bridle,  and  then,  ordering  C„«.   ' 


„  i.  -e-pe.  Jo  i.  .e.  u  .;i7:;'o:rbLTx: 

7  '^'  *«  -i-""!  leaped'ond  iLed   n  ta  W 
*-  -  .h™.  tb..  in.„,e«ble  ^^aJlZiZI. 
««»e  ...nner  of  expressing  „b.t  took  ptaoe     wL 
rt,"^"""'^   de^ribe   the    scene'   I  ^ 

•to  Ibre^ones,  but  its  rider  held  on  like  a  bnrr     tC 

C„  ;^.:"r " " "'" '°" "  "■«  "»»• » 

".penoXoThistr""''""""""'"'^'"' 
tim.  ■!!!?-?    "!^  ''°  '""«''»  'hak.  «t  the  sanM 


,        .  —»>  "x  me  same 

h^rma  which  mtherto  he  liad  held  tight: 


£.;V-'3vV'  i--v'-'.^^R''?^^^^^*^'^'%"  '•^' ' 


216 


THB  BATTLE. 


The  wild  horse  uttered  a  paMio;uite  ciy,  and  sp«ag 
forward  like  the  bolt  from  a  cross-bow. 

And  now  cpmmeivjed  a  race  which,  if  not  as  phv. 
^ged,  was  at  least  as  fiirious  as  that  of  the  far-famed 
Mazeppa.    Dick  was  a  splendid  rider,  however, -at 
least  as  far  as  -sticking  on"  goes.    He  might  not 
have  come  up  to  the  precise  pitch  desiderated  by  a 
nding-master  in  regard  to  carriage,  Sec,  but  he  rode 
that  wild  horse  of  the  prairie  with  as  much  ease  as  he 
had  formerly  j:idden  |.is  own  good  steed,  whose  bone, 
had  been  picked  by  the  wolves  not  long  ago. 

The  pace  was  tremendous,  for  the  youth's  weight 
was  nothhig  to  that  mbscular  frame  which  hom^ 
with  cat-like  agility  from  wave  to  wave  of  the  undulat-   " 
ing  pUin  in  ungovernable  tenor.    In  a  ftw  minute* 
the  .clump  of  wiUows  where  Crusoe  and  hi»  rifle  lay 
were  out  of  sight  behind,  but  it  mattered  n0t,  for  Dick- 
had  looked  up  at  the  sky  and  noted  the  positito  of  tht , 
sun  at  the  momeht  of  8tar|jng.    Away  they  went  on 
the  wings  of  the  wind,  mile  afl^r  mUe  over  the  ocean- 
like  waste-cirrvingslighUy  Aide  now  and  then  to 
avoid  the  bluffs   that  t«!oasiomdIy  appeared  on   the 
scene  for  a  few  minutes  and  then  swept  out  of  sight 
behind  them.    Then  they  came  to  a  litfle  rivulet,  it 
was  a  mere  brook  of  4i  few  feet  wide,  and  two  pr  three 
Irards,  perhaps,  1&om  bank  to  bank.    Over  thii.  fh^ 


'■  hff  f'*!- ,   ■;  -  -,:>'' '-■  I  v--';J5i*?f^ 


t<k  C17,  and  sprang 


«Ut 


ir 


3t**H«  BATTLE. 


217 

flew,  80  easiTy  that  thn  «««•« 

■  «•— ^^a«.e  :::,t:r'^:t''"• 
<"g  MKMeniy  Aied  witk  ,„,h  j^f  Here  He  mm- 

•"'  Ifae  of  tre«,  rf,„„^  77«-  P«»»% .  d* 
•"".•nd  in  ,  few  JZ  T  ^  "°"  "K-n-chfag 
'^««ta„e«::~r--*««<».<..    F« 

"««».  to  nek  h^  ,„  „X  *^  «^  a-y  were 
=-**««ri.„„e  be™.  ^■w":'^^°^i^ 


^.u-i^^k.*: 


Oi^ 


)/* 


S:£ 


.  ^'  ir 


81$ 


TIOTOBT. 


#     \ 


•: 


4 


Now  was  its  rider's  opportanity  to  assert  his  do- 
minion. He  p^d  the  willow  rod  and  urged  the  pant- 
ing horse  on,  until  4t  was  wlute  with  foam  and  labored 
a  littJie  in  its  gait  H^en  Dick  gently  drew  the  halter, 
and  it  broke  into  a  trot;  still  tightev— -and  it  walked 
•—and  in  another  minute  stood  still,  trembling  in  every 
limb.  Dick  now  quietly  rubbed  its  neck,  and  spoke 
to  it  .id  soothing  tones,  then  he  wheeled  it  gently 
round  and  urged  it  forward.  It  was  quite  subdued 
and  docile.  In  a  little  time  they  came  to  the  river 
and  folrded  it,  after  which  they  went  through  the  belt 
of  woodland  at  a  walk.  By  the  time  they  readied  the 
open  prairie,  the  mustang  was  recovered  sufficiently  to 
feel  its  spirit  returning,  so  Dick  gave  it  a  gentle  touch 
with  the  switch,  and  away  they  went  on  their  return 
journey.  * 

l^ut  it  amazed  Dick  not  a  little  to  find  how  long  that 
journey-  was.  Very  different  was  the  pace,  too,  from 
the  previous  mad  gallop,  and  often  would  the  poor  horse 
have  ^topped  ha^  Dick  allowed  him.  But  this  might 
not  W  The  shades  of  night  were  approaching,  and  the 
camp  lay  a  long  way  ahead. "  ^ 

At  last  it  was  reached,  and  Crusoe  came  out  With 
great  demonstrations  of  joy,  but  was  sent  back  lest  he 
should  alarm  the  horse.  Then  Dick  jumped  off  his 
l>ack,  stroked  his  head,  put  hia  cheek  dose  to  his  mouth. 


'   .:■* 


..f     .  .A  , 


Mnia 


assert  his  do* 
urged  the  pant- 
pou  and  labored 
Irew  the  halter, 
-  and  it  walked 
nhling  io.  ev^rj 
eck,  and  spoke 
eeled  it  gently 

quite  subdued 
le  to  the  river 
irough  the  belt 
lej  readied  the 
d  sufficiently  to 
i  a  gentle  touch 
in  their  return 


'OBT. 


219 


--bunch  of  grass.    H.        .    ^"^^^own  slightly  with  a 
'^  Crusoe,  hr  down  I.  J!         T  "*•'  "f^i 


t^^>  ^"^ 


i  how  long  that 
pace,  too,  from 
,  the  poor  horsd 
But  this  might 
aching,  and  the 


^ 


came  out  Widi 
it  back  lest  he 
jumped  off  his 
« to  hjg  mooth, 


bPfiSL-iW^B^nXiiSSSeSalti^kU 


i  > 


220 


i> 


^ 


DICK  A  HOBSE  TAUEB. 


'1- 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Dick  becomes  a  Horse  Tamer.— Resumes  his  Journey.— Charlie's 
doings. -^^Misfortunes  which  lead  to,  but  do  not  terminate  in,  the 
Rocky  Mountains. — A  Grizzly  Bear. 

Thebe  is  a  proverb — or  a  saying — or  at  least  some- 
body or  book  has  told  us,  that  some  Irishman  once 
gaid  —  "  Be  aisy,  or,  if  ye  can't  be  aisy,  be  as  aisy  as 
ye  can." 

Now,  we  count  that  good  advice,  and  strongly  re- 
commend it  to  aU  and  sundry.  Had  we  been  at  the 
side  of  Dick  Varley  on  the  night  after  his  taming  of 
tho^  wild  horse,  we  would  have  strongly  urged  that 
advice  upon  him.  Whethe?  h&  would  have  listened  to 
it  or  not  is  quite  another  question  —  we  rather  think 
not.  Reader,  if  you  wish  to  know  why,  go  and  do 
wjiat  he  did,  and  if  you  feel  no  curious  sensations 
about  the  region  of  the  loins  after  it,  we  will  tell  you 
why  Dick  Varley  wouldn't  have  listened  to  that  ad- 
vice. Can  a  man  fed  as  if  his  joints  were  wrenched 
ttut  of  their  sockets,  and  listen  to  advice — be  that 
~^vice  gooa  or  badi  T  CaiTft  feel  as  though  thwe" 
joints  We  trying  to  re-set  and  re-dislocate  themselveB 


WILD  HORSE  TAMINO. 


221 


perpetually  ^  and  listen  to  advice  ?  Can  he  feel  as  if 
he  were  sitting  down  on  red-hot  iton,  when  he's  not 
aittmg  down  at  aU— and  listen  to  advice  ?  Can  h?  — 
but  no  I  why  pursue  the  subject?  Poor  Dick  spent 
that  night  in  misery,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  foUow- 
ing  day  in  sleep,  to  make  up  for  it. 

When  he  got  up  to  breakfast  in  the  afternoon,  he  felt 
much  better,  but  shaky.  ,  ^  - 

"Now,  pup,"  he  said,  stretching  himself,  "well  go^ 
and  see  our  horse.  Ours,  pup ;  yours  and  mine :  didn't 
you  help  to  catch  him,  eh !  pup  ?  " 

Crusoe  acknowledged  the  fttet  with  a  wag,  and  a 
playful  "bow-wow  — wow-oo-owl"  and  foUowed  his 
master  to  the  place  where  the  horse  had  been  picketed. 
It  was  standmg  there  quite  quiet,  but  looking  a  litUe 

timid. 

ft 

Dick  went  boldly  u^  to  it  and  patted  its  head  and 
stroked  its  nose,  for  notS^g  is  so  likely  to  ahinn  either 
a  tame  or  a  wild  horse  as  any  appearance  of  timidity  op- 
hesitation  on  the  part  of  those  who  approach  them. 

After  treating  it  thus  for  a  short  time,  he  stroked 
down  its  neck,  and  then  its  shouldere— the  horse  eye- 
ing  him  all  the  time  nervously.  GraduaUy  he  stroked 
its  back  and  Kmbs  genUy,  and  walked  quietly  round 
^'^l^  o°ce  or  twice,  sometime,  apn^^f  i>hing  nnd 


uometimes  going  away,  but  never  either  hesitating  or 
doing  any  thing  abruptly.    This  done,  he  went  down  to 

19« 


.4 '  1 


Eii^y^^^^i^^iiliLi^  <:-...:!^v- 


■'"^SmWi^lllfylS^til^ltStlltt^^ 


*  i  fl^'Ji^ '^Js^ '" ,  JJ"  ,K 


2^2 


WILD  HOBSE  TAMINa. 


t 


r  ?' 


i  k: 


e  stream  and  filled  his  cap  with  water  and  carried  it 
the  horse,  which  snuffed  suspicioaslj  and  backed  a 
little,  so  he  laid  the  cap  down,  and  went  up  and  patted 
^'  iiim  again.  Presently  he  took  up  the  cap  and  carried 
it  to  his  nose;  the  poor  creature  was  almost  choking 
with  thirst,  so  that,  the  moment  he  understood  what  was 
in  the  cap,  he  buried  his  lips  in  it  and  sucked  it  up. 

This  was  a  great  point  gained,  he  had  accepted  a 
benefit  at  the  hands  of  his  new  master;  he  had  be- 
come a  debtor  to  man,  and  no  doubt  he  feh;  the  obli- 
gation. Dick  filled  the  cap,  and  the  horse  emptied  it 
again,  and  again,  and  again,  until  its  burning  thirst  was '. 
slaked.  Then  Dick  went  up  to  his  shoulder,  patted  him, 
undid  tlie  line  that  fastened  him,  and  vaulted  lightly  on 
his  back  I 

We  say  lightly,  for  it  was  so,  but  it  wasn't  easily,  as 
Dick  could  have  told  you!  However,  he  was  deter- 
mined not  to  forego  the  training  of  his  steed  on  account 
of  what  he  would  have  called  <^"  little  bit  pain." 

At  this  unexpected  act  the  horse  plunged  and  reared 
a  good  deal,  and  seemed  inclined  to  go  through  the  per- 
formance of  the  day  before  over  again,  but  Dick  patted 
and  stroked  him  into  quiescence,  and  having  done  so, 
urged  him  into  a  gallop  over  the  plains,  causing  the 
^og  to  gambol  roiind  in  order  that  he  might  get  accus- 
tomed'to  idm.  ^mns^tried  his  verver  a  good  deal,  |j^^ 
no  wonder,  for  if  he  took  Crusoe  for  a  wolf,  which  no 


WILD  HOSSB  TAWKa. 


m 


*™br^  aid,  he  m^t  h..o  u»„gi,  ii„  .  ,^g^„.  ^. 

breaflu^  h«  well,  Dick  rH^^  „a  ^  ^^^ 
^  nen^herabbedhim  do™  again,  .„dg.,,ji„ 
".other  d^k.  TlaaUmeth,ho«,»,e,.ii,lmr 
to  an  „.er,  aad  Dick  m  fta,  he  M  conquered  him 
bylu»d.e™.  N»do„bilhe.«„„endo,«;ranoffl,ed.y 
before  ^„U  scarcely  be  caUed  kindne,,,  but  withoj 

otj°^r^  ""  "'  ■""'  «■"■"  '-™  """S"^  tbo 
offices  of  ku-duess  to  bear  on  so  »ad  a  ateed. 

D™,g  au  aese  operations  Crusoe  sat  looking  on 
"*  *Tr  »«8«««y-'iri»W"g  i«  wis^n.  and  t^g 
notes.    We  know  not  whether  auy  notei  ni«ie  by  fl,e 
«y  race  baye  ever  been  given  to  ^o  worldf  but 
cert«n  are  we  that,  if  fl.e  notes  and  obslrvations  L«Ie 
by  Cmso.  on  ^at  j„„mey  wore  pubjishfcd,  they  would 
—to  say  the  least— surprise  ns! 
J^e^t  day  Dick  gave  the  wiUbo^'hi,  secona 
teseon  and  h.s  name.    He  caUed  him  « Charlie-  after 
•much  loved   «mpanion  in   the    M^taag  y^" 
■M  bug  and  heartily  did  Dick  Varlejh.^  «  Z 
^  h««  his  fntu.,  designation  in  tile  p,L.ce  of 
■^  fer  u  struck  him  a.  «»newhat  ludicrous  that . 
•menag,  which,  two  days  ago  sawed  th.  ..-i.  •     „ 
i .     „ —  ^^^-gl'°!iyy<<'tnet»rthmaUth»== 


itkiKfen^i^^i 


M': 


i'i.i!Ji^0k^A^ 


•4- 


/ 

J' 


^smmMBmmmmmyi&iMmi«^.,,m^,^.^ 


WltD  HOBSB  TAMINa. 


224 


The  next  jllece  of  instruction  b^;an  by  Crusoe  being 
led  up  un4er  Charlie  s  nose,  and  while  Dick  patted  the 
dog  with  his  light  hand  he  patted  the  horse  with  his 
left:  It  backed^a  good  deal  at  first  apd  snorted^  but 
Crusoe  walked  slowly  and  quietly  in  front  of  him 
several  times,  each  time  coming  nearer,  until  he  i^ain 
stood  under  his  nose,  then  the  horse  smelt  him  n^r-- 
Tously,  and  gave  a  sigh  of  relief  when  he  found  that 
Crusoe  paid  no  attention  to  him  whatever.  Dick  then 
ordered  the  dog  to  l^e  do'^at  Charlie's  feet,  and  went 
to  the  camp  to  fetch  his  ^ifle,  tmd  buffalo  robe*  and 
pack  of  mea^  These  and  all  the  other  things  belong- 
ing to  him  were  presented  for  inspection,  one  by  one,tto 
tha  horse,  who  arched  his  neck,  and  put  forward  his 
ears,  and^  eyed  them  at  first,  but  smelt  them  all  over, 
and  seemed  to  feel  more  easy  in  his  mind. 
'  Next,  the  buffalo  robe  w^  rubbed  over  his  nose, 
{ then  over  his  eyes  and  head,  then  down  his  neck  and 
shoulder,  %nd  Ifutly  was  placed  on  his  back.  Then  it 
was  taken  off  and  flung  on ;  after  that  it  Was  strapped 
on,  and  the  various  little  items  of  the  camp  were  at- 
tached to  it.  This  done,  Dick  took  up  his  rifle  and  let 
him  smell  it ;  then  he  put  his  hand  on  Charlie's  shoul- 
der, vaulted  on  to  his  back,  and  rode  away. 

Charlie's  education  was  completed;  and  now  our 


prospect  of  its  speedy  termination. 


\ 


iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 


■  -f* 


MOK  BltDMIil  BIB  TOCKNET. 


22S 


la  ibis  course 


•"uninlp  timmgh  which  Dick  pot 

had  taken  ftr  ,.„g,,  .tae  4  fa  „,^,y  a,e  oa«  .„,™,g 
^     the  M«^  Who  wm  etch   .„d  «b«a,"  «rf  ride  . 
wld  ho«,  into  .amp  in  lei  U»a  rt„„  «^.    jnt 
-D.ck  wanted  to  do  Uie  thing  wen,  which  the  Indi«„, 
"e  »o.  creM  to  do,  I«aidL  it  n.„.t  be  borne  in  «. 
men>bra„ce  that  this  was  hi,  ^  atten,p^  and  tb«  hi, 
■  ho«e  wae  one  of  the  best  «,d  m«t  high^ted,  while 
«h«e  canghtby  the  Indian,,  a.  we  have  Baid,  are  gene- 
nuly  the  poorest  of  a  drove,      i  '  ■        ^ 

Did.  nowfWIowed  the  traujof  hi,  loit  con-paniona^- 

•t  .  r^jd  pace,  yet  not  «,  rapidly  a,  he  n.ight  have 

done,  be.„g  averse  to  exhan,^  hi,  good  dog  «,d 

h„«w  companion.    Each  nigh, he  encamped  nnir  the 

hade  of^a  tree  *  a  bush  when;  he  conid  iind  one.  or  in 

fte  open  pn..rie  when  there  we™  none,  «,d,  picketing 

bU  ho«e  to  a  short  stake  or  pta  which  he  carded  wi.^ 

l.m  for  the  p„^,  lit  ii,  j^  ^ 

tl7  ?  "^  '»,■'  H  ^7'  Charlie  h;an.e 
JO  tame  ani  so  accustomed  to  hi,  ma.ter-.  ,.ice  a^ 
be  eeemed  ^to  ^^«,  ^  ^  ^^  ^^    ^ 

be^  no  d»ht  whatever  ^at  he  h«,  .  g^  ^idike  to 
«*.u^  for  on  one  ««„i,n.  ^,^  VU^  ^  ^^ 

r^»  "le  or  «,fa>d.iheaa,pwhe^0^rii,,^ 
»e.gh  „  fcudly  that  Dick  «n  back,  thinkmg  «.,  ZZ 


■>• 


/ 


'■*• 


.  f 


.j.,y 


226 


Charlie's  Domos. 


mtist  have  attacked  him.  He  wa^  Kll  right,  hojWeT«r, 
and  exhibited  evident  tokens  of  satisfaction  when  they 
returned. 

On  another  occasion  his  fear  of  being  left  abne  was 
more  clearly  demonstrated. 

Dick  had  been  unable  to  find  wood  or  water  that 
day,  so  he  was  obliged  to  encamp  upon  the  open  plain. 
The  want  of  water  was  not  seriously  felt,  however,  for 
he  had  prepared  a  bladder  in  which  he  always  carried 
enough  to  give  him  one  pannikin  of  hot  syrup,  and 
leave  a  mouthful  for  Crusoe  and  Charlie.  Dried  buffalo 
dung  formed  a  substitute  for  fuel.  Spreading  his 
buffalo  robe,  he  lit  his  fire,  put  on  his  pannikin  to  boil, 
and  stuck  up  a  piece  of  meat  to  roast,  to  the  great  de- 
h'ght  of  Crusoe  who  sat  looking  on  with  much  interest. 

Suddenly  Charlie,  who  was  picketed  a  iew  hundred 
yards  off  in  a  grassy  spot,  broke  his  halter  close  by  the 
head-piece,  and  with  a  snort  of  delight  bounded  away, 
prancing  and  kicking  up  his  heels  I  ♦ 

Dick  heaved  a  deep  sigh,  for  he  felt  sure  that  his 
horse  was  gone.  However,  in  a  short  time  Charlie 
stopped,  and  raised  his  nose  high  in  the  air,  as  if  to  look 
for  his  old  equine  companions.  B^  they  were  gone;  no 
ianswering  neigh  replied  to  his;  ani  he  felt,  probably 
for  the  first  time,  that  he  was  really  alone  in  the  world. 
Baving  ntrijower  of  smell,  wfrei^y  fie"^mTgfif  Kav«" 
tmced  them'^out  as  a  dog  would  have  done,  he  looked 


iV 


^„       .  ..    ,J.3d 


■•.-\ 


_T"-     ,1 


CHABLHi's  D0WG8. 


227 

.     •   ■""'  •"  'i»»'  ™  lour  mlh  Crusoe  in  ,1..       • 
attempt,  and  at  last  they  -ve  it  „„      T  ""^  ™" 

**Come  here,  Crusoe  I"  crieilM- «    .    , 
tone.  ^     <*'«aiMS^iaaterinad< 


1.  ,.^ 


mmmutam-- 


ff-> 


228 


Charlie's  doingb. 


Crusoe  obeyed  at  once.  Whatever  iniatake  there 
might  be,  there  was  evidently  none  in  that  command; 
80  he  lowered  his  head  and  tail  humbly,. and  trotted  on 
with  his  master;  but  he  perpetually  turned  his  head  as 
he  went,  first  on  this  side  and  then  on  that,  to  look  and 
wonder  at  Oharlie. 

When  they  were  far  away  on  the  plain,  Charlie  sud- 
denly became  aware  that  something  was  wrong.  He 
trotted  to  the  brow  of  a  slope  with  his  head  and  tail 
very  high  up  indeed,  and  looked  after  them ;  then  he 
looked  at  the  fire  and  neighed;  then  he  trotted  quickly 
up  to  It,  and  seeing  that  every  thing  was  gone,  he  began 
to  neigh  violently,  ^d  at  last  started  off"  at  full  speed, 
and  overtook  his  friends,  passing  within  a  few  feet  of 
them,  and  wheeling  round  a  few  yards  off,  stood  trem- 
bling like  an  aspen  leaf. 

Dick^  called  him  tty  his  name  and  advanced,  while 
Charlie  met  him  half-way,  and  allowed  himself  to  be 
saddled,  bridled,  and  mounted  forthwith. 

After  tl^is  |?ick  bad  no  further  trouble  with%s  wild 
horse. 

At  his  next  camping-place,  which  was  in  the  midst- of 
a  duster  of  bual^es  clqse  beside  a  creek,  Dick  came  un-  ' 
expeotedly  upon  a  little  wooden  cross,  which  marked 
the  head  of  a  grave.    There  was  no  inscription  on.  it, 
but  Qie  Christian  symbol  told  that  it  lyas  the  grave  of  a 


white  man.    It  Slmpossible  to  describe  the  rudiof  mii^ 


4 


T-rp-t 


!^ 


/•■' 


il  fW^^HTf^SrVfr 


listake  there 
it  command; 
id  trotted  on 
i  his  head  as 
>  to  look  and 

Charlie  Bud- 
wrong.  He 
)ad  and  tail 
m ;  then  he 
•tted  quicklj 
ae,  he  began 
t  full  speed, 
few  feet  cS 
stood  trem- 

inced,  while 
mself  to  be 


l^£ 


ithHus  wild 

be  midstof 
k  came  nn- 
ch  marked 
ption  on.  it, 
grave  of  » 


ushof  miA» 


■k^ik''^^^'>.: 


THE  SOUTABT  gbaVbI  229 

gled  feelings  that  fiUed  the  soul  of  t J,«         \ 

he  leaned  on  the  muzzle  Jfr     .       '^^""^  '"°*^''  «* 

solitary  restin^r  nl       7  "^*  '^^  ^^^  «'  t^s 

when  hafeIl?-.L  r        ^         '^'^  ^^'^^  <>'  °W 
t>een  «urdwv^  /.,.  i,„j  i.    ,.  ^      — "*°  he 

"toed  over  i.  for  year,  "«*»<««  I^d  • 

»^trCr,7r::;r:rrr- • 

w  come.    He,  too,  must  come  to  the  ««»o 

I?;:  "*"."•'  '^'''°'  ^^  »*  u  c  r 

it  was  a  sad  thought-  but  »».i     ^     *«  ^^^ed  nfle. 


^ 


^tlj 


«  shoo^ 


hsppy^ 


™aD«en  sent  so  sweetly  to  him 


^'' 


j^S.i 


'4^;&,, 


•  K 


'.lyi^i' . 


280 


A  HI8F0BTUNB. 


through  her  hand  came  again  to  hia  mind, « My  son, 
give  me  thine  heart  ;"ahd  as  he  read  God's  book^he 
met  with  the  word,  "Delight  thyself  in  the  Lord,  and' 
he  shall  give  thee  the  desire  of  thine  heart."  «*  The 
detire  of  thine  heart."  Dick  repeated  this,  and  pon- 
dered it  till  he  fell  asleep. 

A  misfortune  soon  after  this  befell  Dick  Varley,  which 
wellnigh  caused  hlinlo  give  way  to  despair.  For  some 
time  past  he  had  been  approaching  the  eastern  slopes 
of  the  Bocky  Mountains  —  those  ragged,  jagged,  mighty 
hills,  which  run  through  the  whole  continent  from  north 
to  south  in  a  continuous  chain,  and  form,  as  it  were, 
the  back-bone  of  America.  One  morning,  as  he  threw 
the  bu£Eldo  robe  off  his  shoulders  and  sat  up,  he  was 
horrified  to  find  the  whole  earth  covered  with  a  manUe 
of  snow.  We  say  he  was  horrified,  for  this  rendered  it 
absolutely  impossible  any  farther  to  trace  his  compan- 
ions either  by  scent  or  sight.  " 

For  some  time  h^  ^  musing  bitterly  on  his  sad 
fate,  while  his  dogciite  and  ^d  his  head  sympathize 
ingly  on  his  arm.  ^ 

**AhI  piq>,"  he  said,  "I  know  ye'd  help  me  if  yo 
isbvldl  But  it's  all  up  now;  there's  no  chance  of  findin' 
them — none." 

To  this  Crusoe  r^ed  by  a  low  whine.   JBIe^lm^w 


hadn't  yet  aisoertained  wjwHlt  was.    As  something 


CRe^OH  AT  FAULT.  ggj 

few  p^  a»n  he  «tan,ed  .7™,;  t  "^  " 

«  fong  „el.„oh„,y  h„„,.     ^' ,'"' '°<'''<^  -!>.  •-'»  -ttewd 

"Come  on,  pup  You'll  f,  ^*'  P"»h'°g  forwanl. 

we  must  go  on."  ^"W"  «iow.    Any  my 

Tbe  mow  that  had  f«a«„  _a,  „„,  , 
offer  fl.ertghte,t„h^X\o^j^°"'«P  '"''"«'■ 

^"^c-.yone.ftho.oj'ont^^  hTjr^^ 
«««  part  of  tie  ooontry  in.  the  '  *?^"«»'  "• 
"«™  ^  now  c„,pt  ul  D^  J^'  '^°"''  ""■* 

—y  in  a  few  day.     t^^  '^*  "  "-«■«  -elt 
Sair  the  slight  crust  of  snow  hy  „n  ,^  .  °°~^ 

^aagte  hi^Tbeen  e^        '^*  coW  or  d™«y~" 


% 


L^ 


'     232 


THE  BOOKT   HOmTTAINS. 


dangerous,  owing  to  the  rugged  nature' of  the  ground 
over  which  he  proceeded.  The  scenery  had  completely 
changed  in  its  character.  Dick  no  longer  coursed  over 
the  free,  open  plains,  but  he  passed  through  beautiful 
vaUeys  filled  with  luxuriant  •  ti^ees,  and  hemmed  in  by 
stupendous  mountains,  whose  rugged  sides' rose  upward 
until  the  snow-clad  peaks  pierced  the  clouds. 

There  was  something  awful  in  these  dark  solitudes, 
quite  overwhelming  to  a  youth  Of  Dick's  temperament; 
his  heart  began  to  sink  lower  and  lower  every  day,  and 
the  utter  impossibility  of  faking  up  his  mind  what  to 
do  became  at  length  agonizing.  To  have  turned  and 
gone  back  the  hunc^/ipf  miles  over  which  he  had 


traveUed  would  l^e^used  him  some  anxiety  under  any 
Qircumstances,  ^  to  dp  so  while  Joe  and  Henri  were 
either  wande^g  about  there  or  in  the  power  of  the 
savages,  wm;  he  felt,  out  of  the  question.  Yet,  in  which 
way  should  he  go?  Whatever  course  he  took  might 
lead  hiBa.further  and  further  away  from  them. 

In  iSis  dilemma  he  came  to  the  determination  of 
remaining  where  he  was,  at  least  untU  the  snow  should, 
leav^  the  ground. 

He  felt  great  reUef  even  when  this  hopeless  course 
was  decided  upon,  and  set  about  making  himself  an 
encampment  with  some  degree  of  cheerfulness.  When 
_hejhad  completed  thin  tank,  he  took   hJa 


leaving  CharUe  picketed  in  the  centre  of  a  dell,  where 


>    .:■  i- 


!rT-!^..r^^g$tc-a 


*<; . 


^f  the  ground 
ad  coiiq>letely 
'  coursed  over 
ugh  beautiful 
emmed  in  bj 
1  rose  upward 
3s. 

ark  solitudes,  - 
emperament ; 
rery  day,  and 
mind  what  to 
3  turned  and 
hi(2h  he  had 
ity  under  any 
I  Henri  were 
)ower  of  the 
ret,  in  which 
i^  took  might 
sm. 

tnination  of 
snow  should-. 

>eless  course 

himself  an 

ess.    When 

r '  -wttifs^     tntti 


A  GB12ZLT  BEAB.  ,333 

^  and  fierceness  jl^^     °*^'  -*"  "^^'^ 
""'  me  did  Dick  vXLk  ?r      "°°*  "  ■"" 

-eco^  iim  in  a.ete^TXfT'f^'"^ '^*'«»'« 'o 

«P««^  -O  i"  eyes  gh4^  tt!*f"t^"'  *"* 
for  poor  Crusoe  hid  I.!  ^°°*"*    ^^1 

One  «„ke  of  ir.lS'"  ^  '^  """»'  '^- 
"^  dead  upon  U.e  g^^T  '  '""  "»""'  ""^  """^ 


M\ 


id* 

/ 

ifj: 

i 

* 

• 

— ^      . 

•■"     - 

^ 

-I  -  <  , 

■                 \ 

• 

:.-   :_ 

/' 

V 

i.             ll 

-- 

■    tk 

^^^- 

ft 

fi 

■M 

.    t 


234 


THB  GBIZZLT  BEAB. 


rf»^. 


iff 


r ' '  I 


:. 


"N 


CHAPTER  XVn. 

Dick's  Finrt  Fight- with  a  Grizzly.- Adventure  with  a  Deer—A 

Surprise. 

There  I3  no  animal  in  aU  the  land  so  terrible  and 
dangerous. aa  the  grizzly  bear.    Not  only  is  he  the 
largest  of  the  species  in  America,  but  he  is  the  fiercest, 
the  strongest,  and  the  most  tenacious   of  life,  facts 
which  are  so  weU  understood  that  few  of  the  western 
hmiters  like  to  meet  him  single-handed,  unless  they 
happen  to  be  first-rate  shots;  and  the  Indians  deem 
the  encounter  so  dangerous,  that  to  wear  a  coUar  com- 
posed of  the  claws  of  a  grizzly  bear  of  his  own  killing, 
is  counted  one  of  the  highest  honors  to  which  a  young 
warrior  can  attain. 

The  grizzly  bear  resembles  the  brown  bear  of  Europe, 
but  it  is  larger,  and  the  hair  is  long,  the  points  being 
of  a  paler  shade.  About  the  head  there  is  a  consider- 
able  mixture  of  gray  hair,  giving  it  the  «  grizdy  "  appear- 
ance,  from  which  it  derives  its  name.  The  claws  are 
dirty  white,  arched,  and  very  long,  and  so  strong  that 


When  the  animal  atrikes  with  its  paw-  they-eaf  Eke  T 
chiseL    These  claws  are  not  embedded  in  the  paw,  as 


irith  a  Deer.— A 


™  OBIZZLT  BKAB.  gSS 

is  the  case  with  the  cat  hnt  oi™ 
Pi^dy  bear  to  cliib  i^  Z  T^!^  ^  "'""«  «■« 

his  victim.  ^*'  ^^"^  ™^°J^  J^oura  for 

The  average  length  of  his  hoJ^  •      t.  ^ 

Caleb  is  more  »™;  ^«"  S""""^ 

<-.o..., ..  ...Me  a.it:c;:rj;rb-r 

cherry,  the  choke-berry  and  v«n;         u  ^"^^  ' 

wxrjr,  ana  vanous  shrubn     Wa  t 

S«-wI,  and  ■  sb„„i„  ft"      ;  '^"«  "P"'^  ""y  •  deep      , 

to  mat.  him  out  «;.,  "7of7er^.T         '""^^ 

i"  -tare,  iamely  «  -,1  k        1      ''°**  ""'  '^^ 
om^ynp^ficib^    H.  *a  feel «  «„». 

'     *  ■  '  'I 


i^^^-^-y-i')-  -:■  ■ 


.t\ 


X 


286 


ADVENTUEE  WiTH  A  BBAB. 


^ 


•H 


tion  as  if  hia  bowels  had  suddenly  melted  into  water  I 
Let  not  our  reader  think  the  wpiSe  of  Dick  for  this. 
There  Is  not  a  man  living  who,  having  met  with  a  huge 
grizzly  bear  for  the  first  time  in  his  life,  in  a  wild,  soU- 

toi7l)lace,aU  alone,  has  not  experienced  some  such  sen- 
sation.   There  >wa8  no  cowardice  in  this  feeling,    year 
is  not  cowardice.   Acting  in  a  wrong  and  contetoptiWe  - 
manner  because  of  our  fear,  is  cowardice. 

It  is  said  that  WeUington  or  Napoleon,  we  for^t 
which,  once  stood  watching  the  muster  of  the  men  who 
wer^to  form  the  forlorn  hope  in  storming  a  citadel. 
There  were  mtoy  brave,  strong,  stalwart  men  there,  in 
the  prime  of  life,  and  flushed  with  the  blood  of  high 
heiUth  and  courage.    There  were  also  there  a  few  stem- 
browed  men  of  riper  years,  who  stood  perfectly  sUent, 
with  lips  compressed, -and  as  pale  as  death.    "Yonder 
veterans,"  said  the  general,  pointing  to  these  soldiers, 
"are  men  whose  courage  I  can  depend  on;  they  know 
what  they  are  going  to,  the  others  don*t!»    Yes,  these 
young  soldiers  vary  prohably  were  brave  j  the  others 
certainly  were. 

Dick  Variey  stood  for  a  few  seconds  bs  if  thunder- 
struck,  while  the  bear  stood  hissing  at  him.  Then  the 
liquefaction  of  his  interior  ceased,  and  he  felt  a  glow  of 
fire  gush  through  his  veins.  Now,  Dick  knew  well 
"^^M^lL^M^^  grizzly  bear  was  the  aut^aad   - 


certain  way  of  being  torn  to  pieces,  as  when  taken  thus 


.  -j^.- 


..n1^',* 


^VISNTDM  WITH  A  BEAK. 


237 
bj  soxprise,  they  almost  invariablv  f  m. 
^'^e^y.    He  also  knew  41,7^.^  '**''  ''  '''^^^^ 

p-^ctiy  still,  the  tr^;^:  "^  -^-  ^^  -c 

intended  torun  awA^  i,-      ,?-    ^*    """*  ^«  neither 

jne  %  reared,  a.,d  Dick  ,ea„Lw;    ••  ■'• 
*<>  «>««•  p.«ed  he  gave  i.  ,7       '«'™'» « «^-    A, 

-barrel  behind  «.e  »hoJ™    '  "t:"""-"'  "'  '^  «-«a 

^"t,  hue  ,he„  „„ ^  l\Z^^r-^  -  : 

le  open  tawi  y,    ^^         /'™'    « he  ran  along 

"«"  WM  too  apiwrent  to  i. 


:/ 


.jry  *..... 


( > 


^'■'<»»mmiikiimm»stM. 


»»«<«<>««W»^»J,; 


-y^ 


288 


ADVB^TUBB  WITH  A  BEAB. 


ent<5rtained  for  a  moment    He  glanced  up  at  the  over- 
;  hanging  cliffs.    There  were.oneiir  two  rents  and  pro- 
jections close  above  him.    In  the  twinkling  of  an  ey^ 
he  sprang  up  and  grasp^  a  ledge  of  about  an  inch 
broad,  ten  or  twelve  feet  up,  to  which  he  clung  while 
^  -    he  glanced  upward.     Another  projection  was  within 
reach,  — he  gained  it,  and  in  a  few  seconds  he  stood 
^         upon  a  ledge  about  twenty  feet  up  the  cliff,  where  he 
h^  just  room  to  plant  his  feet  firmly. 
tX*  Without  waiting  to  look  behind,  he  seized  his  powder- 

horn  and  loaded  one  barrel  of  his  rifle ;  and  well  was  it 
for  him  that  his  early  training  had  fitted  hi4  to  do  thi^ 
.  with  rapidity,  for  the  bear  d^hed  up  the  precipice  after 
him  at  once.  The  first  time  it  missed  its  hold,  and  feU 
back  with  a  savage  growl,  but,  on  the  second  attempt,  it 
sunk  its  long  claws  into  the  fissures  between  the  rocks, 
and  ascended  steadily^tiU  within  a  foot  of  the  place 
where  Dick  stood. 

At  this  moment  Crusoe's  obedience  gave  way  before 
a  sense  of  Dick's  danger.    Uttering  one  of  his  lion-like 
roars,  he  rushed  up  the  precipice  with  such  violence 
that,  although  naturally  unable  to  climb,  he  reached  and 
seized  the  bear's  flank,  despite  his  master's  stem  order 
.      to  « keep  back,"  and  in  a  moment  the  two  roUed  down 
-    the  face  of  thq  rock  together,  just  as  Dick  completed 
'  loading. 


ADVilNTDBE  WITH  A^beaB. 


■   n  289 

certain  deafiJ  f<«  l*  '' 

«UBe  momit  ,6,1  ,i.i    ,  ""  ««"»«  at  the 

bb"  out  ito  iC,:      ^  "*'  ""»  *«  liar's  ew,  a«d 

«■»  «.».  a  JU*^^  "  ^--^e,  altho^h  i.  c.^ 
Tim  i,.„T^X*'°""'««^  after., 

f-^^  bear,  .ndH^         *;  *^'  «"»■«■««  with  , 

Having  refreshed  hinuelf  will,.,-      ", 
■">i8M«ring  rivulet  aad  Z^^°°*  '^"«''f  "^  • 
Bkiuued  the  bear  ...  the  .^f*"  ''^'  "«•»".  «ck        ' 

«  We  chawed  ila,„p,i^ji,^„. 
D^ck,  ^U,  .  ^ae  of  «utfa«i«^  **"';«■  P-P?"-.!        ' 
Pnre.  ^"*'°» ««  he  surveyed  lua    '     . 

^ave  ua  a  hard  tusale.  thAi,  u  -      '        '^ 

^  >»-ien  didn't  heip„^»^*'''"^  ■*'■«««.         ' 


■i^ltiW;-.;''^  .'■ 


240 


A   COI.LAB  WON. 


■<t. 


V 


II 


«  Ah,  pupl "  cried  Dick,  sympathetically,  "doea't  hurt 
ye,  eh,  poor  dog  ?  "  ^        , 

Hurt  him  I  such  a  question  I  No,  he  should  think 
not ;  better  ask  if  that  leap  from  the  precipice  hurt  your- 
self. 

So  Crusoe  might  have  said,  but  he  didn't;  he  took 
no  notice  of^he  remark  whatever. 

«  We'll  cut  him  up  now,  pup,"  continued  Dick.  «  The 
Bkin'U  make  a  splendid  bed  for  you  an'  me  o' nights,  and 
a  saddle  for  Charlie." 

Dick  cut  out  ail  the  claWs  of  the  bear  by'the  roots,  and 
spent  the  remainder  of  that  night  in  cleaning  them  and 
stringing  them  on  a  strip  of  leather  to  form  a  necklace. 
Independently  of  the  value  of  these  enormous  claws 
(the  largest  as  long  as  a  man's  middle  finger)  as  an  evi- 
dence of  prowess,  they  formed  a  remarkably  graceful 
collar,  which  Dick  wore  round  his  neck  ever  after  with 
as  much  pride  as  if  he  had  been  a  Pawnee  warrior. 

When  it  was  finished  he  held  it  out  at  arm's  length, 

and  said,  «  Crusoe,  my  pup,  ain't  ye  proud  of  it?    Ill 

teU  ye  what  it  is,  pup,  th«  next  time  you  an'  I  floor 

Caleb,  m  put  the  claws  P»und  gour  neck,' an*  make  ye 

''^(^  em  ever  arter,  so  I  wiU." 

The  dog  did  not  seem  quite  to  appreciate  this  piece 
of  prospective  good  fortune.  Vanity  had  no  place  in  his 
honest  breast,  and,.«>oth  to  say,  it  had  notaJarge  place 


►ft  ..-  " 


bv  '■^#«'^^\  'Vj      7 


-  T  5fifr*<VTwp  T-  Tyy^ 


A  OESB  HtJNT. 


heticallj,  "doea't  hurt 


241 


t  he  didn't;  he  took 


in  that  of  his  master  either,  a^  we  may  weU  orant  w. 
we  consider  that  this  first  disphiy  of  if  rofl 
Mon  of  his  hunter's  «nni  iT   •  '^  °°  '^^  occa- 

■»^'..e,.d.,Z.r  ^""*  '""'  ~«»*  "- 

i  He  ™y  of  it  w«,  uu,.    "^  "*  "^  "^"d  "y  »  deer. 

>»«.".  i.  "hurt »  hta  ao  J  *°  ■*'  *•  *>' 

I'»»y  lad  net  gone  &r  wia,  ti..  . 
•f  •  de«  m  th»lo,^Jt      '  ««o  <«  flie  track 

«  -wacJ^T         "'^ ''  °P  Mi  tley  .pied 
^^****t^**^  "'^<*  about  thre«  i,n«^    j        ^   fw* 

"-^  m  .  leve,  p«ok  J^^'^uJ^  ^' 

10i«Bl.ot,but.sthemft,i!Jt"-    ^""'« 
fa>P<».iWe  for  Dm?      *°  «"""''  ™«'««d  it 

ie  <W,  «,d  wonted  Jk  T'  *""""'  "^«  ■«■■. 
•"«>pl«» where  i.*ZZ;  ""^'^  *««^  « 

P<dW  tl»  triBK,  C™!r^  *^    •'"'«Iw 


Bsrjp? 


,'1- 


/ 


111     illii|IWI|i 


243 


pijvf' JP.Ji.«"  '■■'  .-4J!i'' 


FIGHT  WITH  A  ^BBB. 


. disturbed  Ma  aJm,  so  he  feared  he  had  missed;  but 
the  deer  fell,  and  he  hurried  towards  it.  On  coming 
up,  however,  the  buck  sprang  to  its  legs,  rushed  at  him 
with  its  hair  bristling,  knocked  him  down  in  the  snow, 
and  deliberately  commenced  stamping  him  to  death. 

Dick  was  stunned  for  a  moment,  and  lay  quite  still, 
BO  the  deer  left  off  pommelling  him,  and  stood  looking 
at  him.    But  the  instant  he  moved  it  plunged  at  him 
again  and  gave  him  another  pounding,  until  he  was  con- 
tent^ lie  stilL    This  was  done  several  times,  and  Didt 
felt  his  strength  going  fast.    He  was  surprised  tEat  Cru- 
soe did  not  c^me  to  his  rescue,  and  once  he  cleared  his 
mouth  and  whisfled  to  hun;   but  as  the  deer  gave 
bim  another  pounding  for  this,  he  didn't  attempt  it 
again.    He  now  for  the  first  time  bethought  him  of  his 
knife,  and  quietly  drew  it  Itom  his-  belt;  but  the  deer 
observed  the  motion,  and  was  on  him  again  in  a  moment. 
Dick,  however,  sprang  up  on  his  left  elbow,  and,  makiijg 
several  desperate  thrusts  upward,  succeeded  in  stabbing 
the  animal  to  the  hewrt. 

Rising  and  ^^aking  the  "snow  from  his  garmAts,  he 

;  whistlefl  loudly  to  Crusoe,  and,  on  listening,  heard  him 

/    whining  piteously.     He  hurried  to  the  place  whence 

Vhe  sound  came,  and  found  that  the  poor  dog  had  fellea 

into  a  deep  pit  or  crevice  in  the  rocks,  which  had  been 

-^  ^iwieealeA  from^-new  by  a  crost  of  mowr  and  he  wm 

now  making  frantic  but  unavailinjj  efforts  to  leup  out. 


oatsos'g  ugBAF. 


n.o  (        T  certaujly  was  to  him,  for  it  had 

T"  *"  '"  '■  "»»°S  *•  -ounteW  This  ,„  .  to 
r.ble  ctots  for,  if  fte  ^hr  mow  of  *n  Jl  , 
would  be  ™pos,ibIe for  hineifter  to.!    ^         '"    ■ 

f«tog  a..t  ie  .»e  eifter  ^,  ^e  «,e.p.  ,„  L" 

«u««,  voices.    For  a  moment  he  stood  x^th  w 
riveted  o»  tte  gn,™a,  k,  „     .pTl,^*  *"  "^^ 
dirteaded,  „  h,  listed  wi^  f^ "    ^  ""'* 

k"  hodanedou.  «di:iatjd'r  i:::*^- 

pom  hw  view,  and  then*  m  i.i»  "«"vw  vauey 

b«^of-^.,^'r^^°^«aj«>bet^ 


I  of  ahuul  .  t-i^ZT.-     ■"»"«wLht  behett. 


w 


\ 


•h*:- 


,-fi 


STBAKOSBS. 


chapt|:r  xvni. 


A  Snrpriae  and  a  Piece  of  Good  Newfc— The  For  TndeMw^Ctiuq* 
proved,  and  the  Peigans  piinued.  ;,,^H-i.i, 

Dick's  first  and  most  natural  impnlse,  on  beholdbg 
this  band,  was  to  mount  his  horse  and  fly,  for  his  mini 
naturally  enough  recurred  to  the  former  rough  treatment 
he  had  experienced  at  the  hands  of  Indies.  On  sedtod 
thoughts,  however,  he  considered  it  wiser  to  throw  him- 
self upon  the  hbapitalily  of  the  §trangers  \  "  for,"  thought 
he, "  they  can  but  kill  me,  an'  if  I  remain  here  I'm  like 
to  die  at  any  rtite.'' 

So  Dick  mounted  his  wild  horse,  grasped  his  rifle  in 
his  right  hand,  ahdj  followed  by  CJrusoe,  galloped  lidl 
tilt  down  the  valley  to  meet  them. 

He  had  heaid  enough  of  the  customs  of  savage  tl^es, 
and  had  also  of  late  experienced  enongh,  to  convince 
him  that  when  a  njita  found  himself  ih  the  midst  of  an 
overwhehning  force,  his  best  policy  was  to  assume  an 
air  of  con^dent  courage.  He  therefore  approached  them 
at  his  utniost  speed. 


and  litfle  wonder,  for  the  young  hunter's  appearance  I 


■  i  .-^X'* 


■•■v.. 


245 


having  rested  a 

\-i  its  neck  waa 

mane  and  tail, 

*^'^*  flew  wildjj 

j>ick'8  own  iMdr,  not 


Wa8  rery  striking.     Hia 
««>^  deal  of  late,  was  . 
•«*«J,  its  nostrils  expan™, 
never  having  been  checkeol 

around  him  M  voluminous  buMii    D-vt- 

having  been  clipped  for  Jn  .        '  ^''^  '^^  "<>' 

'«« wild  as  thr;hi^^r""''^''^^«««^«^7 

t-deur  of  the  scen^^u;    ^^^  ^''  *^  ^  ^^ 
gigantic  dog  that  bounded  1^.^^    ^  '^""^'  ""^  «•«" 
»>«  surprised  to  hear  thaV  1  ^/'^^'^'^  ^^^  ^/U  not 
together,  and  prep^d  '  1  ''"^^"  ^'«*«^ 

if  H  in  his  or^Z      "**"'  ""*«  ^W  ho«eman  as 

-ofcavalT^nS-^'r^^^^^^^^''-^^ 
™*™  «ie,  that  read,  J  .  ^T.  'T  f^'^  t  the  ' 

•^^^  wh»  le  ,^^  ^f „«^f  'e^  «.  Of  to 

#J>A«>I>. ** — 


I  ^  -as  np  withZ^'  ^tir  ^''^  "^^  ''^ 


/ 


'\ 


// 


^ 


U^ ' 


dih  'I 


y^V' 


M  ■' 


j-'t 


/ 


^ 


.MMiMM«i»»>t" 


• -^imnimamimummaair^  - 


/ 


:?:  ■'-■■ 


246 


THE  FT7B  TBADEBS. 


he  did  riot^heck  jhis  speed  till  be  was  within  four  or 
five  yards  of  the  advance  guard,  who  stood  in  a  line  he- 
fore  him,  quite'still,  and  with  their  rifles  lying  loosely 
in  their  left  palms ;  then  he  reined  his  steed  ahnost  on 
its  haunchi^. 

One, of  the  Indians  advanced  and  spoke  a  few  words 
in  a  language  which  was  quite  unintelligihle  to  Dick, 
who  replied  in  the  little  Pawnee  he  could  muster,  that 
he  didn't  understand  him. 

"  Why,  you  must  be  a  trapper ! "  exclaimed  a  thick- 
set, middle-aged  man,  riding  out  from  the  group.  "  Can 
you  speak  English  ?  " 

"  Ay,  that  can  I,"  cried  Dick,  joyfully,  riding  up  and 
shaking  the  stranger  heartily  by  the  hand ;  "  an'  right 
glad  am  I  to  fall  in  wi'  a  white-skin  an'  a  civil  tongue 
in  his  head."       n  ^' 

•*  Gk)od  sooth,  sir,"  replied  the  stranger,  with  a  quiet 
smile  on  his  sind,  weather-beaten  face,  "I*. can  retufn 
yotr  the  compliment,  for  when  I  saw  you  come  thuu-^ 
dering  down  the  corrie  with  that  Wonderful  >horse  and 
no  less  wonderful  dog  of  yours,  I  thought  you  were  the 
wild  man  o'  the  mountain  himself,  and  had<^n  ambush 
hJready  to  back  you.  But,  young  man,  do'^ou  mean  to 
Bay  tlm  you  live  here  in  the  mountain  all  alone  fift^ 
4tes  fashioni"  ^ 

"  No,  thff  I  don't    I've  corned  here  in  my  firavels ; 


but,  truly,  this  bean't  my  home.    But,  sir  (for  I  see  you 


are  what  the  fu^traden,     n 

"•'  «-«<-  a  band  «  tti^  ^e^  .^"'^"''>'  '»"  «»-  i. 

«  "ni>ri«,«  he  .poke  „„„    '•       °"* '"ied  «.m,d 

.     .»"™„„ded  to.  ™°  "•'  I»«*-l.o«es,  u,..  „„„  . 

"Tisafair  qoestion,  laJ     t 

I-^mc  Oceaa;  „a  ft^  .^^^^^  '^  --  .J 
I  We  e„,„e  with  the*,  J„        """'  ""^Wna,  and 

'-' "-e  .hat.  a  J:„„^;:f -->-.<.»«  be. 

"■«««  «„e  rve  been  o   J^  rT'' '^  "''  ^ 
«>™0'-.n.dinge.pedia„„.   ^^l """T  "»  '=«"»<'«<«». 

"^  «"'*  »s  o„..„f  „„/2r„  ^'^'  """•'  "■  7.« 

^;^  ,B„.a«.,a  n,ewh„'l"  "^r"'  ■""  P»^  y- 

"%  name  is  Dj^t  v.  . 
f """«  Vaiie,,  nea.  J^^^o''^  *°'°^"'  *"  "« 

"  '  """.er  «,„,  ^;  Y^^  *°P«  "o  de««e  «,e  n.n,e 
"• «"»  aynmain.,  f„,  r„^  ^*  ^o"  «»  the  ease  dde 

.  •*"^»"'«™gertoa,ec„„.„^ 


H  '• 


Sttmaa- 


^: 


■M 


248 


NEWS  OP  JOB  AND  HENBI. 


here,  like  yourself.  But  you're  on  the  east  side  o'  the 
mountains  abready,  if  I  nustake  not;  only  these  moun- 
t^  are  so  rugged  and  jumbled  up,  that  it's  not  easy 
telhn'  where  ye  are.  And  #hat,»  continued  Dici, 
may  be  the  name  o'  the  bourgeois  who  speaks  to 
me?'*  . 

«  My  name  is  Cameron  -  Walter  Cameron  -  a  weD- 
known  name  among  the  Scottish  hills,  although  it 
sounds  a  Httle  strange  here.  And  now,  young  man, 
will  you  join  my  party  as  guide,  and  afterwards  remain 
as  trapper  ?  It  will  pay  you  better,  I  think,  than  roving 
about  alone." 

Bick  shook  his  head,  and  looked  grave.  «  FU  guide 
you,"  said  he,  « as  far  as  my  knowledge '11  help  me- 
but  after  that  I  must  return  to  look  for  two  comrades 
whom  I  have  lost.  They  have  been  driven  into  the 
mountains  by  a  band  of  Injuns.  God  grant  they  may 
not  have  bin  scalped." 

The  trader's  face  looked  troubled,  and  he  spoke  with 
one^his  Indians  for  a  few  minutes  in  earnest,  hurried 
tones. 

"What  were  they  like,  young  man  ?" 
i>ick  described  them. 

"The  same,"  continued  the  trader;  "they've  been 
seen,  kd,  not  more  than  two  days  ago,  by  this  Indian 
here,  when  he  was  out  hunting  alon«  «nn..  ^n^  ^^^^ 


HENBI. 

n  the  east  side  o'  the 
ot;  only  these  monn- 
upf  that  it's  not  easy 
at,"  continued  Dick, 
^ois  who  speaks  to 

sr  Cameron  —  a  well- 
h  hills,  although  it 
d  now,  young  man, 
id  afterwards  remain 
)  I  think,  than  roving 

grave.  «ni  guide 
wledge  '11  help  me ; 
►k  for  two  comrades 
sen  driven  into  the 
=^d  grant  they  may 


1 


™«  TO.  rifAOW,.  '    ,„ 

Yes,  both  of  them,"  cfieJttckli^t.. 
tense  eagerness.  ■^*'*' ^s^mng  with  in- 

""iNiBBiy  company  b„.  J       ""  ""«  most  a„tori„„, 
\  for  once."  '^'  '"' "'  '^  "»  ""e. spoken  ta.u. 

i      'Thanks,  thanh,  gooj  ,,■„.,  ^.    » 

«N«,r   <••    .        ^°"°^*hem«tonceI"     J 
'    .  ^*^'  ^«^d'  not  quite  so  feat."  r.J-L  r. 
Pon'ting  to  his  people     «Th  ^^^^^^  Cameron, 

^«^  but  I  Shan  be  roady^lr  ''  '~^'^  ^^ 
^<^  --,  as  I  p^3ume  yout"  b      ""  ^^  '°-- 

'^rou  kindly  conduct  u^^^yrj.tr'^^""'*'"^'      ' 
not  far  hence?"  "^  ^""^  ^"caapment,  if  it  be 

'^--bieaC.rhrrr""™^^ 

place,  whero  the  band  of  f„^L     ""'  *°  '^  ^P-S" 

^  P^t^  their  tents,  cut  H  !!?!"  "^^^'^  »>«««- 
kotUiiii  -:ji.  ^^  ^^^-  fc"'^'"  fireo.  fill  <i li- 

"*«w»  with  water,  cook  tl,«;«  Tt,  *^^  *«» 


'  """  with  water,  cook  their  food  Z^ 
th«nselves  comfortable     Th!    T       '  "*  ^*'  "''*« 
'•    ^^' ^^  «Pot  which,  an  hour 


f 


« 


I 


^'^'^"^t"/  '.- 


250 


THE  FTJB  TBADBfia. 


/ 


before,  had  been  io  stiU,  and  grand,  and  gloomy,  was 
now,  as  if  by  magic,  transformed  into  a  bustling  village, 
with  bright  fires  blazing  among  the  rocks  and  bushes, 
and  merry  voices  of  men,  women,  and  children  ringing 
in  the  air.  It  seemed  almost  incredible,  and  no  wonder 
Dick,  in  his  bewilderment,  had  difficulty  in  believing  it 

'  ^ — '^ 

was  not  all  a  dreapa. 

In  days  long  gone  by,  the  fur-trade  in  that  country 
was  carried  on  in  a  very  different  way  from  the  manner 
in  which  it  is  now  conducted.    These  wUd  regions,  in- 
deed,  are  stUl  as  lonesome  and  untenanted  (save  by 
wUd  beasts  and  wandering  trlbeTof-indians),  as  they 
were  then;  but  the  Indians  of  the  present  day  have 
become  accustomed  to  the  «  pale-faced "  trader,  whose 
little  wooden  forts  or  trading-posts  are  dotted  here  and 
there,  at  wide  intervals,  all  over  the  land.    But  in  the 
^  days  of  which  we  write  it  was  not  so.    The  fur-traders 
at  that  time  went  forth  in  armed  bands  into  the  heart 
of  the  Indians'  country,  and  he  who  went  forth  did  so 
«  with  his  life  in  his  hand."   As  in  the  case  of  the  soldier 
who  went  out  to  battle,  there  was  great  probabiUty  that  • 
he  might  never  return. 

The  band  of  which  Walter  Cameron  was  the  chief 
had,  many  months  before,  started  from  one  of  the  dis- 
tant posts  of  Oregon  on  a  hunting  expedition  into  the 
-  tfaen^rtaaytiiAuowaiandg  of  the  Snake  Indiang.    It 
consisted  of  about  sixty'men,  thirty  women,  and  as  many 


f  >». 


"•r' 


rty  women,  and  as  many 


-      THE  FUB  TBADEHS.  '      ^BfL 

were  «„t  laden,  behg  designed  iis4l,rr      ""^"ft 

°  i'^^wmoufl.    bomeitimes  their  IrpHind  ^ 

overflowing  •  a*  nti.«^  *.  xettlefl  were 

-  ------ e^trcid-ir" 

ooUected  «  large  «^«,^^;i■■  ^^  "^^^^  ^^  already 

~  ^  ^^^>^«'«^«*'*--^b^       skffi,,  Vhid,  at  that"" 


1\ 


time,  were  amt^g  |}ie  most  va||ab] 

axf^  now  Scarcely  smabL 

pt  two  '^fld  horse%  sevi 

^horned  sheep,  the  day  before 'they 
eamp  kettles  were  full,  and  the 
happy-'  %''\ 

jf^w; IkMiEsr  Dick  Varley,"  said  Can^pron,  iouch- 
young  hunter  on  the  shoulder  J|»  he  stood 
rea4|'  equipped  by  one  of  the  camp  fires ;  f  1l|n  at  your 
service.  The  people  won't  need  any  more  locd||og  afler 
to-night,  m  divide  my  men  —  thirty  shall  ^go  after 
this  rascally  band  of  Feigans,  for  such  I  believe  they 
are,  and  thirty  sball  remain  to  guard  the  camp.  Are 
you  ready  ? "  -         '       ,  -'  ' 

«  Ready  I  ay,  thii  hour  past." 

,  « Mount  then,  lad  j  the  men  have  already  been  told 
pff  and  are  mustering  down  yonder  where  the  deer  ga^e 
.  you  such  a  licking." 

Dick  neleded  iio  second  bidding.  He  vaulted  ^n 
Charlie's  back  and  along  with  their  commander  jdned 
the  men,  who  were  thirty  M  fine,  hardy,  reckless  look- 
ing fellows  as  one  could  desire  for  a  forlorn  h^^.  They 
wexe  chatting  and  laughing  while  they  es 
gotis  and  8a4dle  girths.  Thei^  horses  wei 
i]ig  animHfecompaced  with  the 
ttat  DflWi^trode.  but  they  were 


bnd  ^ell  fitted  for  their  peculiar  work? 


.,*;. 


m 


/(^n 


H 


.  '"'^^   S^PBISES   THE   TRADEK8.  253' 

«MyI  wot  a  blazer."  eTM..™««i\w  . 

3eup.  '    ^^'^^"^^•J  ^  trappe?  as  Dick 


"^'^^'T^g^t  him ?"  inquired  a  Lf-breed 
"I  caught  him,"  answered  Dick.     ^ 

t         "Bawl"  cried  the  first  speaker.      , 
.Dick  took  no  notice  of  this  last  remirk. 
^N^did  ye  though?"  he  asked  again.        V. 

the^jr:"'^^^'''^"^«^^^^^^«-sedhi.in 
^J-„e-,oucanseethemarkonhisneJif,,„ 

The  men  began  to  feel  that  the  yLg  hunter  w 

1»  on  „,  «„  ,„„^»  «'»*?"^ de  fcand.    "Night  „m 

"  Who  sold  ye  the  bear-claw  collar?  »  !„«  •    j 
■Mn  of  Dick.  "^  "'"couar;'    iniiuired  another 

«I  didn't  buy  i,    1  tiu^  ^^  ^_^^  ^   ^      __ 

D.dre,,hongh,aln,eyerl„„^;«j 
V?  Aj,  that  waan'^^ii^fc  i«  F     f  *' 

^-tl^X^^f'  ^""^^  "^"^  ^^ddle-aged 

Of  joe'Biu:  %r  ::rr"  r-  ^^*  ^  ^ 


V 


-""       •'est  Keep  clear  o'  the 


J^ 


■>»-. — 


"SUS', 


««>«  ,,^^~«»-V^.od  by  thl' 


■nove  on,  whici  was  obejW  in       ^ 


!      . 


^4 

J 


CBUSOK  PROVED.' 


Bilence,  and  the  cayalcade,  descending  the  vaUey,  entered 
one  of  the  gorges  in  the  mountains. 

For  the  first  half  mile  Cameron  rode  a  Uttle  ahead  of 
his  men,  then  he  turned  to  speak  to  one  of  them  and  for 
the  first  time  observed  Crusoe  trotting  dose  beside  his 

master's  horse, 

«AhI  Master  Dick,"  he  ^xciaiiiied,  with  a  troubled 
,  expression,  « that  won't  do.    It  would  never  do  to  take 
a  dog  on  an  expedition  like  this." 

«  Why  not  ?  "  asked  Dick, « the  pup's  quiet  and  peace- 
able." . 
«I  doubt  it  not,  but  he  wiU  betray  our  presence  to 

the  Indians,  which  might  be  inconvenient." 

« I've  travelled  more  than  a  thousand  mUes  Arough 

Tjrairie  and  forest,  among  game  an'  among  Injl^s,  an' 
.  L  pup  never  betrayed  me  yet,"  said  Dick,  with  sup- 
,   prei  vehemence;  « he  has  sav^  my.life  more  than 

once  though."  «  ' 

"You  seem,  to  have  perfect  confidence  in  your  dog, 
•   but  as  this  is  •  serious  matter  you  must  not  expect  me 
to  share  in  it  without  proof  of  his  trust-worthinesss." 
'     «  The  pup  may  be  useful  to  us ;  how  would  yOu  have 
it  proved?"  inquired  Dick.  °  A 

"Any  way  you- like."  ,  ' 

«Youfo'rgot>Tour  belt  at  starting,  J  think  lhe«fed 


orvyoi 


ye  say. 

"Yes,  I  did ;"  repUed  the  trader,  smiling. 


>  ?•:-■ 


the  valley,  entered 


p'a  quiet  and  peace- 


ing,i  think  ihegfed 


CHUSOE   PROVED.  ^^ 

•»  a.e  ca„.p  ana  fetch  i,  p„™  '      "°"'.^''=  "  ««  '»ck 

"Well,  rii  .™t  h,-„,„  ^.;!,^" " ""^ '»°"'t 

-  brisk  t™t  aCrV^      r"  '"'■^  "-'^  "»'  ■" 

«*  aide  ofChL  le  °'  °  """'-■'■"'  '*^  »■« 

wnicn  the  mountans  tovretetl   Jr,   ^    r<^' 
masses.    Soon  fho  «,  cowered  in  dark 

«.e  India,  hna...  „,.  JleJlrrr^' 
"nd  rt„  was  oonstonw  guide  Tr  '^' 

,^.-'~v::X'Szr::si:':;-r 

of  overhanrinff  trees  nn^  ^     ^®  ^^"S'^s 

t^e  rocks  of  soC  :r:  zrzr:  -^  ^^-^ 

andtheWerw^^^ento:^-/::;^,^^^^^ 
there  T.as  wood  and  water.  '^^  ^^^'" 

The  horses  were  picketed,  a  fire  kJn^i  a      '' 

I  «*•  ,?-•  J  '         ®  xindled,  tfcitnoiftli- 

1  of  dried  meat  bfwf;i^  ^„.._  .,^      ^'  .      '  *«'^o°tn- 


ful  of  dried  meat  hastily  eaten,  the 
toen  ponh   t^_  .   .«»v  / 


^«  *'  nastilj 

then  each  feSn  scraped] 
branches  on  the  groul 


Itch  was  set,  and 
snow,  spread  some 
>ping  himself  in  hia 


I  the  fire. 


_   '3i7T->  -t^Fytiig  aimseu  in  hia 
to  Hteer^^^Mf^t^resented  towards 


K' 


« 


% 


'iji«^ 


# 


^*i- 


'-M 


256  THK  pyM^' 

Two  hours  were  ififflow^  for  reat;  ffien  ttiey  were 
awakened  and  in  a  few  mifautes  were  oflP  again  by  the 
gray  light  of  dawn.  In  this  way  thejr  travelled  |wo 
nights  and  a  day.  At  the  end  of  that  time  they  came 
suddenly  on  a  small  party  of  nine  Indians  who  were 
seated  on  the  ground  with  liheir  snow-shoes  and  blan- 
kets by  their  side.  They  had  evideijtly  been  taken  by 
lirpriBe,  but  they  made  no  attempt  to  escape,  knowing 
*  fihat  it  was  useless.  Elch  sat  stiU  with  his  bo'^^ 
arrows  between  his  legs  on  the  ground  ready  for  ffiWuit 

.  *iiKsoon  as  Cameron  spoke,  however,  in  their  own 
language,  they  felt  relieved  and  began  to  talk. 

«  Wheife  do  yoiif^me  from,  and  what  are  ,y«u  dolig 
here?"  asked  the  tra^n  ff;  ■      '     . 

«\gj^av§i»me  to  tifade  with  ^he  white  men,"  one 
of  th^rteplied,  "and  to  hunt  .-We  have  com^  from 
the  Msscwri,    Our  country  is  far  away^       " 

«t)o'^Sns  hunt  wil|(' war-iarro||>  "  aafced  Came- 
ron,  pointing  to  their  weapw^J^'.    ^.       jii*      f' 

This  que8tt6n  seemed^H^pT^lex  them,  for  tl%  saw 

that  their  in*erro^B|  kne#  th*  difference  between  a 

:,^ar  an4  aj^untin^Stwi-the  former  4)emg  barbed  in 

order  to  render  it^^nttraction  from  the  wound  difficult, 

while  the  hei^d  of  the  latter  is  round  and  can  be  drawn 

*  out  of  game  that  has  been  l^ed,  and^sed  again. 


U"   - 


« And-do  Peigans,"  continued  Cameron,  " 


■I 


what  are,youd6i||g 


"  aalked  Game- 


Cameron,  " II  riiiiii  B  'i|iiil ( 


Pe-^  into  wi<«  hand,  ,t„rB.  '™*  "^ 

file.,  Ure  naihiSg  drain  "'  "'  ^""W  >»d 

"l"  f<«m  on],  a  fe„™l!     ""  *  ""•'■»^.  "d- 
i"  yonr  «u„p.  ^^  ^°  7°  '""  ^«*-/«-  prisone™ 

'»'^.  N„.;e;Z.rto      """•  ^"»"-'- 

-'  "»=  i.  ;  peal     I  1'°"  T"-    ^'^  »"»«'  ^ 
«>»"  tiding  ™;to  LTT^T"  '■""  '"^ 

««!.»  .boni  ae  white  «,«,     tV    .  f    '™»  «"  ""^ 


\ 


"^"^  "lutUiver  »bont  those  h. 


2a* 


/- 


>r»      \ 


tiijPi^iJC'C.'^, 


;,. 


mm 


258 


INDIAK  DEOBPTION. 


This  was  a  terrible  piece  of  news  to  poor  Dick,  and 
at  first  his  heart  fairly  sank  within  him,  but  by  degrees 
he  came  to  be  more  hopeful  He  concluded  that  if 
these  men  told  lies  in  regard  to  one  thing  they  would 
do  it  in  regard^  to  another,  and  perhaps  they  might  have 
some  strong  reason  for  denying  any  knowledge  of  Joe 
and  Henri. 

The  Indians  now  packed  up  the  buffalo  robes  on 
which  they  had  slept^  and  the  mouthful  of  provisions 
they  had  taken  with.  them. 

"  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  what  they  say  about  your 
friends,"  said  Cameron  to  Dick  in  a  low  tone  while  the 
Indians  were  thus  engaged.  "  Depend  upon  it  they 
hope  to  hide  them  till  they  can  send  to  the  settlements 
and  get  a  ransom,  or  till  they  get  an  opportunity  of 
torturing  them  to  death  before  their  women  and  children 
whien  they  get  back  to  their  own  village.  But  we'll 
baulk  them,  my  friend,  do  not  fear." 

The  Indians  were  soon  ready  to  start,  for  they  were 
lumbered  with  marvellously  little  eamp  equipage.  In 
less  than  half  an  hour  after  their  discovery  they  were 
running  like  deer  ahead  of  the  cavalcade  in  the  direction 
of  the  Peigan  camp.  "j. 


, '  f ' 


4ft, 


..»* 


^^  PWOAir  CAMP. 


¥9 


Chapter  xix. 

Adrentures  with  the  PeignoB  -r 

"".-ce  Of  ab,„.  «  TXl^'  r^   ^'  '*« 

"i  tiat  your  camp ?»ton,.l~j  2" 

'«*'»«  «fesh  after  thetUr  Vr"  »'^-. 
"^r  W  o^y  lad  a  aho„  ^^T  Sc^'  """«■■ 

To  this  thej,  awwered  to  the  «m™  V-9 
"■ere  we«  about  t^o  taaCpf  "^^''^g  -^^ 
It  mfekt  k.      ^        """^  «ig«ns  there.  "' 
mght  have  been  thought  that  tl,l« 
Jm  Amitatej^  ,0  v«rtiw  .        "? -ggfef.men  muM 

•    "'  "  '^  «'™y»  l«en  fouud  to  th; 

....  ,     ■        ■  ....  /       -J/- 


'.    *    > 


I  Hi.' 


rt 


(0 


^ 


KIP^ 


M'^*' 


260 


THE  PEIGAN  CABIP. 


rx 


experience  of  Indian  life,  that  a  few  resolute  wM^  n^ 
well  armed  were  more  than  a  match  for  ten  times  their 
number  of  Indians.    And  Uiis  arose  not  so  mudi  from 
the  superior  strength  or  agility  of  the  whites  over  their 
red  foes,  as  from  that  bull-dog  cpurage  an^^  utter  reck- 
lessness of  their  lives  in  combat,  —  qualities  which  the 
^-    crafty  savage  can  neither  imitate  nor  understand.    The 
infdrmation  was  received  with  perfect  indiflferende  by 
i    most  of  the  trappers,  and  with  contemptuous  laughter 
by^some^for  a  large  number  of  Cameron's  men^ere 
wild,  evil-disposed  fellows,  who  would  have  as  gladly 
"•  taken  the  life  of  an-  Indian  as  a  buffalo. 

Just  as  the  word  was  given, to  resume  the  march,  Dick 
Varley  rode  up  to  Cameron,  and  »aid  in  a  somewhat 
anxious  tone,  —  .  >"  . 

«  D'ye  obsarve,  sir,tha^ne  o'  thtf  Red-skins  has  gone 
,  "^  '  ^ff  ahead,  o'  his  comrade^"  % 

'v^.    "I  see  that,  Master  Dick,  and  it  was  a  mistake  of 
^'A*  mine  not  to  have  stopped  him,  but  he  Ma  gone  too  far 
<     before  I  observed  it,1and  I  thought  it  better  to  appear 
unconcerned.    We  must  push  on,  though^  and  give  hitur'j 
as  short  time  as  ppssible  to  talk  with  his'comrades  in  the  \ 

camp."      »  •        /     '-      •  •"     * 

'*'    The  trapper!  pressed  forward  accordisgly  at  a  gallop, 

and. W^  soon  in  front  of  the  cJump  of  trees  amongst! 
— 1  jwhich  Iho  Eeifflna  were  fencamped.  -  "^eir  approach 
•       had  evidently  spread  great  alarm  among,. them^for  there 

•  ■■        .■■*% 


LHF. 

3W  resolute  white  mien 
tch  for  ten  times  their 
ose  not  so  much  from 
'  the  whites  over  their 
lUHige  an^«,  utter  reck- 
•— qualities  which  the 
nor  understand.  The 
•erfect  indiflferende  by 
contemptuous  laughter 
Cameron's  menjwere 
would  have  as  gladly 

esume  the  march,  Dick 
X  said  in  a  somewhat 

th^  Bed-skins  has  gone 

d  it  was  a  mistake  of 
ut  he  t^  gone  too  far 
ght  it  better  to  appear 
I,  though^  and  give  hint'| 
ath  his'comrades  in  the  | 

accorOisgly  at  a  gallop,  I 
dump  of  trees  amongst] 
aped.^^  ^eir  apprpac 
1  amongktheiivfor  there] 

■  \ 


THE  PEIGAN  CAMP. 

1^ 


261 


■-4. 


them.    There  wpr«       .  ""'^'^^  ^''esido 

A.,  counca 'was.  Immediately   caUed-    th.   / 
'at'ged  then^elveion  one'  side  of  I      '^\'''^^''' 
tbeibdians  o,.  theK.'ther "   M        .  '^""«"  ■fi'^  and 

Jn^s,  and  hTwou^rtl   ?     "^'^.^^"^^^  «^'°«*  ^he 

by  his  S*|tp  lie.  still  hiH    ""^  ^^'^  °«*  been  ordered 
_  ■  ,  ,     s!^_'H "«  8U1J,  but  never  in  bU  Tifij  k„r      .    , 

roi*/urs  of 


■^i- 


(• 


\V. 


C»' 


.*!' 


262 


THE   PALAVEB. 


«Ho!  ho  I"  excised  the  Indians ;  which  expression 
might  be  translated,  *  Hear,  hear." 

«  But,"  continued  Cameron, «  we  wish  to  have  no  war. 
We  wisk  to  see  the  hatchet  buried,  and  to  see  aU  the 
red  men  and  the  white  men  smoking  the  pipe  of  peace, 
and  hunting  like  brothers." 

The  «  Ho— ho— mg"  at  this  was  very  emphatic. 
"Now,". resumed  the  trader,  "the  Peigans;  have  got 
two  prisoners  —  two  Pale-faces  —  in  their  camp,  and,  as 
we  cannot  be  on  good  terms  while  our  brothers  are  de- 
tained, we  have  come  to  ask  for  them,  and  to  present 
some  gifts  to  the  Peigans."  4 

To  this  there  was  no  «Ho"  at  all,  but  a  prolonged 
silepce,  which  was  at  length  interrupted  by  a  tail  chief 
stepping  forward  to  address  the  trapped. 

"What  the  Pale-face  chief  has  said  is  good,"  began 
the  Indian.  "  His  words  are  wise,  and  his  heart  is  not 
double.,  The  red  men  are  willing  to  smoke  the  pipe  of 
peace,  and  to  hunt  with  all  men  as  brothers,  but  they 
cannot  do  it  while  many  of  their  scalps  are  hanging  ia 
the  lodges  of  their  enemies  and  fringing  the  robes  of  the 
warriors.  The  Peigans  must  have  vengeance;  then| 
they  will  make  peace." 
,        Afler  a  short  pa^se  lie  continued,  — 

« The  cliief  is  wrona^wheg  he  says  there  are  ^iile-J 
-  .fapj^g  in  the  Peii^  clB^^^JP^'g^  "^  "*^^  ^^  ^"1 


^ 


with  the  Pale-faces ;  neither  have  they  seen  any  on  theirl 


as ;  which  expression 


COMIXO  XO  XHB  POIKT.  ggg 

march.    Thfi  fat„^  • 

Cameron  iow  spoke  to  Dick  .,.' ' 

y^  poor  eom^iea  have  eife  bl  M  "  '"""^  '^' 
a-ay  from  tie  camp  anj  hj. ,       ^ '""""  »■•  """o^ed 

*;o-M>«„e«  .„  impii^;:;  rj'  ''^''"  •"'' 

"'■«■'  "uch  a  band  „.  ratals  i.  1  "'  '''^°''^'J' 

k«PJtogether.    Bat  nitT  .  '  ""''"""S  "»  «»r 

w-U  goods  »iU  do     a1  "  "'"^  '"°'>«"8  "■^■x ' 

I  o».  a  scuffle."  ^' "^  ""^  "•=*-'' give  in  „i.b. 

It  now,  for  the  first  time  fl«ci,  :i 
"-  .here  .as  .ome.i.i^m'^r  ""'  ^"'^^ 
Crusoe's  restless  an.iet/„tch  b^        '""^"'^  '■» 
(abated,  «,d  tie  idea  of  ZV  *      ""'  "  "^^  ^^-^ 

"I've  a  notion  that  I'll  gettu  ♦»•• 
l^e  than  you  thmk  "  h.     Tu  ""'"'"  '""  «  ^^^^^r 

The  irader  ^wfced  grave  An^      ^  '•' 
l'«'»'ba.e.cep..sT;^."-^«^/Xnever, 

Hwadvise?"  >         ■>'»"■■  Pniaence,wi« 


f 


i 

J 


4= 


4* 


t./.' 


#•■■'' 


'*#t'i 


-  / 


264 


COBUKG   TO    THE  POINT. 


Dick  and  the  traijer  whispered  a  few  minutes  to- 
gether^ while  some  of  the  men,' in  order  to  show  the 
Inc^aIls  how  perfectly  unconcerned  they  were,  and  how 
ready  for' an^  ^tn^,  took  out  their  pi^es  and  began  to 

-^moke.  Both  parties^were  seated  on  the,  ground,  and 
during  this  interval  th^  Iiidians  also  held  eager  discus- 
sion. ■".  ■  "  ..  '  '•■  ",  ■  '  •  - 
'  At  length  Cameron  stood  up,  and  said  to  his  men  in 
a  <qpidt  tone,  **  Be  teady,  lads,  for  instant  action ;  when 
1  give  the  word  *  Up,'  spring  to  your  feet  and  cock  your 
guUa,  but  don't  jire  a  tihof  tiU  you  get  the  word.     He 

^  ^en  stepped  forward  and  said,  —  -   .  •.  ;, 

"The  Peigan  warriors  are  doulUe-tongtied ;  they 
know  thai  they  hav€|  hid  the  Pale-face  prisoners..  We 
do  not  wish  to  quarrel,  but  if  they  are  not  deliVeWi 
up  at  once,\the  Pale-faces  and  the  Pe^gana  will  not,  be 
friends." 

Upon  thisiiie  Indian  chief  again  stood  forward' and 
said,  ^'The  lE^'ligans  are  not  double-tongued.     They  I 
have  not  seen  Pale-faces  till  to-day.    They  catffiay  no| 
more," 

Without  moving  hand  or  foot,  Cameron  then  said  in| 
a  firm  tone,  «THe  first  Peigan  that  moves  shall  die! 
Up,  lads,  and  ready ! " 

-   r  In  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  the  trappers  sprang 
^elr  feet,  ahd  cocking  their  rifles  stood  perfectly  motion 


\ 


less,  scowling  at  the^  savages,  who  we«e  oompleteTy  take 


»      s 


\   ■'     , 


k  ■■'*.,- 
^ , .' 


-;-.f- 


ilso  held  eager  discus- 


;am  stood  forwaixFfttid 
>uble-toDgued.     They 


/' 


OAMBBCart  BSEBOT. 


V. 


265 
fcy  mrpike  at  the  mw,a  ,M 

»^e  white  ,„e„,  they  .eMo»  ^Z?^  ™"'"''  f"' 
%to,  and  a,  th<~  i^^  „  °  ™^  *«"•  ^ra  m  open 

^  «».  waited  b„r?t^  t'  ^"^^  ""  »'■"- 
tteir  nudst,  u.e,  felt  tlTj:  "^  '"'"'  •"-»«■  i""" 
■^  >«««  pan  „f  ^^"^  ■^"o"  ""  at  that  thne 

"»«<•  Mid  Cameron,  while  D!*v   , 
fi-'  ae  Paie-ftoe  primers     ^^  ™''"  "^  -»»*  » 

;^»'^e".«a«:.Cifth?--;^-„„* 

ae  n».  whez^ie  «t^  „,  hLvJ  «"  ""^  ^'»      . 
^  ««,  and  the  PeiJan.  T  '  "^y^e-^      ' 

Pale-ftoe  al*.^  uiT"  >^  '^'  a«  rifle  „f  the 
"ithout  Wtdtinv  f 

•^"^ '.» o^ifaTZJ^  ^'««»'^ 
*■<".«  few  moments  ie^    ^  "^"^  '"^• 

"."ffed  th6  air  se„»^^  times  „hiidni  ^^°'  ""*    ' 

-if  to «We  hi. feehW  IT' " " ''«»>'»''<^   ' 
a?  pound  and  »n  atZi.,  f        "  ■"'  "'  »"»»  *» 
M*  Immediately  bo™^«*"""*  ""^  ««  w«,da. 

.       '^'"";^*""'"»««4de.I  of  drifted 


r 


,-.-"  %.'    . 


*•' 


i(Bx'  . 


»     «*.    <• 


fe3» 


r  ■' 


q,  •  ■-.- 


.it^i-^ 


-B»  1 


'#3 


CBCSOE   SENDEES    GOOD    SERVICE. 


waow  on  the  ground.    Here  he  seemed  to  lose  the  trail ' 
for  allittie,  and  ran  about  j^  all  directions^  whining  in  a 
iaoBt  psBous  tone.        ^  ^  ' 

"Sbbk  'em  out,  pup,"  repeated  Dick  encouragingly, 
while  his  own  breast  heaved  with  excitement  saiA.  ex- 
pectation. " 

In  §  few  seconds  the  dog  resumed  itii  onward  course, 
and  led  the  way  into  a  wild,  dark  spot,  wiiich  was  so 
,  overshadowed  by  trees  and  precipitous  cliffs  that  the  light 
of  the  sun  scarce  found  entrance.  There  were  many 
huge  fliasses  of  rock  tecattered -over  the  Aground,  which 
had  failed  from  the  cliffs.  Behind  one  of  these  lay  a 
mound  of  dried  leaves,  towards  which  Crusoe  darted 
and  commenced  scraping  vidiently. 

Trembling  with  Jdread  that  he  should  find  this  to  be 
the  grave  of  his  murdered  companions,  Dick  rushed 
forward  and  hastiL^  cleared  away  the  leaves.  The  first 
handful  thrown  o£^  revealed  part  of  the  figure  of  a  man. 
Dick's  heart  beat /audibly  as  he  cleared  the  leaves  from 
the  face,  and  he  Qtterec^  a  suppressed  cry  on  beholding 
the  well-known  ftbatures  of  Joe  Blunt !  But  they  were 
Qot  those  of  a  dead  man.  Joe's  ^es  met  his  with  a 
scowl  of  anger,  ^hlch  instantly  gave  place  to  one  of  in- 
tense surprise.  ' 


"Joe  Blunt i"  exclaimed  Dick  in  a  voice  of  intense 
amazement,  while  Crusoe  snuffed  round  the  heap  of 

■■*■■■■■*■■  ■■■■■!  ■■ll»»BHnl         ■■■■<1»  ■■■■■■■■lllMMMlfli       ~\f  11^ l»«ll  j1  ■  1  I  "''l^ 


:'■■%. 


v  .  >^- 


i   ■ 


[>    SERVICE. 


THE   RESCUE. 

267 

move,  neithex  did  h*fln«„i, 

-^  good «.!  tr^;  ""-^^ » "p'r-fo,  .4, 

-rill,  a  band  rfjeaUierV   \  ""  "'«'"'y  ■>»»»« 

In  a  moment  DickV  tn  f      - 
were  severe^  "^  Joe  B,  JJTC  "^  ""  ""^ 

Inank  God*'  excl  'a 
«gl.,  the  toton.  hfe  Up""™    f°°  "'*  «  ^^  earnest 
*»«.  H»  ha  added,  ZIZ^^^'  "r'  '^  •» 

'^  *-  «.e.  had  heen  l;r  ~  °'  *=  «»* 
he  could  not  move.  "^P^^^^^d  that  for  some  time 

**  I'll  rub  ye,  Joe  —  T'li 
i-b:r„'rhe;:'''^'''«'-'«.»pHen„-.    He. 

»f  Joe  and  Dick  V„Wi„  H»™g  the  voice, 

«»  '«»  ".eir  Parana,  he  ™  17"?"'  "'°°'"-  '™^'« 
•"^ewnt  that  hi,  eVe,  T  ""*  "■»'»>™i«i 


'^  ■«  "  their  lTg...2.rr  ZT'""'  '^  '•'""■' 


268 


THE  BESOUB. 


eye-brows,  they  were  gone,  utterly  lost  among  theMroots 
of  his  voluminoos  hair. 

'*  Henri,  friend,  I  knew  I  should  find  ye,"  said  Dick, 
cutting  the  thoqgs  that  bound  him.  ^  Get  up  if  ye  can, 
we  have&'t  much  time  to  lose,  an'  mayhap  we'll  have  to 
fight  afore  we're  done  wi'  the  Red-skins.    Can  ye  rise  ?  " 

Henri  could  do  nothingfbut  lie  on  his  back  and  gasp, 
«  Eh !  possible  I  mon  fWre  I    Oh,  non,  non,  not  possible, 
j  Oui !  my  bruder  Deck  1 " 

Here  he  attempted  to  rise,  but,  being  unable,  fell 
back  again,,  and  the  whole  thing  came  so  suddenly,  and 
made  so  deep  an  in^ression  orfThl*..  impulsive  mind, 
that  he  incontinently  burst  into  tears ;  then  he  burst  into 
a  long  laugh.  Suddenly  he  paused,  {fid  scrambling  up 
to  a  sittmg  posture,  looked  eariiestly  into  Dick's  face 
through  his  tearful  ey$8.        ^ 

"Oh,  non,  non!"  he  ezdaimed,  stretching  himself 
out  at  full  length  again,  and  closing  his  eye,s;  "1^  fire 
too  goot  to  be  trae.  I  am  dream.  I  vill  wait  till  I  ^ 
wake." 

Dick  roused  him  out  of  this  resolute  sleep,  l)j>wever, 
somewhat  roogbly.  Meanwhile  Joe  hai.  mbhod  and 
kicked  him»erf  into  ts  state  of  animatkm,  eKclauBiiur  that 
he  £dt  as  if  lie  was  wajkin'  on  a  tbraaaad  Modles  and 
piiu,  and  in^  few  minutes  ihe^  wesp  ready  to  accom- 
pany t^ir  oveijoyei  deiiv^rec  hsusk  to  the  Feigan  camp. 


..4' 


w 


f  lost  among  tbe^roots 

i  find  ye,"  said  Dick, 
I.  **  Get  up  if  ye  can, 
mayhap  we'll  have  to 
skins.  _  Can  ye  rise  ?  " 
on  his  back  and  gasp, 
non,  non,  not  possible, 

at,  being  unajble,  fell 
une  so  suddenly,  and 
"^^.^  impulsive  mind, 
rs ;  Uien  he  burst  into 
d,  $Ed  scrambling  up 
:stly  mto  Dick's  face 

d,  stretching  himself 

ing  his  eyes;  "it  are 

I  vill  wait  till  I  ^ 

It 

jolate  sleep,  l^wever, 
Joe  hni  ru^Md  and 
atJOD,  aKclmwing  that 
hi—Mid  needles  and 
«renp  ready  to  accom- 
Lto  the  Feigan  camp. 


ff> 


^■HB  KESCUB. 


269 


Grosoe  testified  his  deKffhf  in       • 

*>w  *.  «^.l^  ^  'J^^  *-^  ""o  were  „„. 
_«Theyb„e,,-ttte.fe4„ 

■»««■>'  us  alive,  „.  „„,,,'    °°°'-<"'-<«<>-o«>w«hI_ 

"WoJl        • 

r---:rei::!;rr'- 

<^S  toV  eye,-„ffae  sa;^;^^  '°™  '^"^  '^^  <- 

A  loud  eheer  greeted  a>e  arrival  of  ,fc.     .        ^' 
^loofa  of  oonsiderable  di«„,„f  llT  P-w^-^W 

"  Glad  to  8ee  j-oo,  «end.,»  said  &«,„ 
eMneap.  ' ,     "  "^eron,  as  they 

^Veia'appyoj^  _  , 

"P  «.  the  joHaB^  <rf  y,  j;?^^  H«,".  "waggeriag 

»"^  '-"»*.  eoe™,o„s^"'4™f"«'*«  '^'" 
"' 'l"?  dem  aU  at  von^  ^'"^  "  go  to  work 

"  Wrfll  ^    .  ^  "  '^''  "  «  ««'el?"       . 

'  »-  ^.;  weapoa  of  so^e  ««^^.  .  ,  t 


1 


'^ 


/^- 


*     \" 


\ 


'.    -K 


■*\j 


■■<?»:  MC- 


\ 


/ 


270 


f 


\ 


THE  BES017E. 


■^ 


^^ 


"  OuL  Ah  1  <^est  charaiant,"  he  cried,  going  with  an 
immense  flounder  into  the  midst  of  tlie  amused  trappers, 
and  slapping  those  next  to  him  on  the  hack.  "  Give  me 
veapon,  do,  mes  ami  — gun,  pistol,  any  ting — cannon, 
if  you  have  von." 

Meanwhile  Cameron  and  Joe  spoke  together  for  a  few 
moments. 

"  Xou  h^d  goods  with  you,  and  horses,  I  belieye,  when 
you  were  captured,"  said  the  former. 

that  we  had.  Yonder  stand  the  horses  under 
-tree,  along  wi'  the  rest  o'  the  Red-skin  troop, 
rd  time  they've  had  o't,  as  their  bones  may  tell 
speakin*.  As  for  the  goods,"  he  continued, 
glancing  round  the  camp,  "  I  don't  know  where  —  ah  I 
yes,  there  they  be  in  the  old  pack.    I  see  all  safe." 

Cameron  now  addressed  the  Indians. 

"  The  Peigans,"  he  said, "  have  not  done  well.  Their 
hearts  have  not  been  true  to  the  Pale-faces.  Even  now 
I  could  take  your  scalps  where  you  sit ;  but  white  men 
do  not  like  war,  they  do  not  like  revenge.  The  Peigans 
may  go  free."      *        •    •  • 

Considering  the  fewness  of  their  numbers,  this  was 
bold  language  to  use  towards  the  Indians;  but  the 
boldest  is  generally  the  best  policy  on  such  occasions. 
Moreover,  Cameron  felt  that,  being  armed  with  rifles^; 
while  the  Indians  had  only  bows.and  arrows,  the  •  trt^p-' 
pers  had  a  great  advahts^e  over  them.  t- 


JOB  BETUEN8   GOOD   FOh'evII,. 


271 


ce  together  for  a  few 


rses,  I  believe,  when 


eS^ 
W 


^  The  Ind«n  who  had  spokea  before  now  ««e  and  , 
he  was  Sony  there  should  be  any  cause  of  difTex.: 
between  them,  and  added  he  was  sony  for  a  g^at  Lv 

for  having  told  a  lie.  was  sony 

"Bui,  before  you  go,  you  must  deliver  up  the  hoi^es 

and  g^  belongi^g  to  these  ..n,»  said  Ca^e.n,  ,Z 

»ng  to  Joe  and  Henri.  >f  ^i^ 

wo  hule  pack  contobg  J«.,  g.^  ,,„  J' 
upon  fte„,,a„afl.eo..Ue  tappers  .uroed  to depj^'^ 
W,™  d.d  no.  n,ove  „m  .hey  had  n.onnW ,  tten  2 
™ea^^^  edin,hod,..h..dge„f«.e.J^: 
^e  the  Pale-facee  go  ^ay.    M&nwhiie  Joe  «p„ko  a 

-alt,  wh,fe  .he  fo^er  dtanoumed  and  fed  hia  hoJe 
towards  the  hand  of  savages.  ""  norse 

I  let;:?  '^'' "'""  *"""  "■=  ""J-'  »^ "« 

came  into  .h.s.conB.or  was  to  make  peace  between 
you  and  the  Pale-fac^    I  have  often  .old  ,ou  so  Xn 
you  would  „o.  ,,.en,  and  when  ,o„  .old  n.e  .ha.  I  hL 
"double  hear.,  and  told  lies,    You  we™  w™,g  „tZ  ~ 
you  .a.d  «.is,  but  Ide  not  wonder,  foryon  ,1^™! 
u..o.wh„dono.rear<^d,.ndwh,.Lki.;X7 

wild  ri:rr '°  ^^  "•"'  ^  '"■>  "^f"-  i' 

-^uM  be  good  for  jhe  Bed-men  if  a,ey  w»ri*™ds 
peace  with  fl,e  Pale-ftees,  and  tf  ^ey  would  make 


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^Sciences  . 
.Corporation 


23  WBX  MAIN  STRKT 

WIBmt,N.Y.  MSM 

(716)072^503 


% 


*- 


■^T' J  ■'■?y  ^'•.  -V:*  i-  '^ 


272 


l-^ 


JlMICABLE  pastiko. 


peace  ydSh  ea^oth^.  I  will  now  convince  you  that 
Ivam  in  earnest  and  Jbave  all  along  been  speaking  the 
truth."     .^ 

i'      XT  ■'  '     ' 

Hereupon  Joe  Blunt  opened  his  bundle  of  goods,  and 
presented  fully  one  half  of  the  gaudy  and  brilliant  con- 
tents to  the  asAonished  Indians,  who  seemed  quite  taken 
aback  by  such  generous  treatment  The  result  of  this 
was  that  the  two  parties  separated  with  mutual  expres- 
pions  of  esteem  and  good-will.  The  Indianathen  returned 
to  the  forest,  and  the  white  men  galled  back  to  their 
camp  among  the  hills. 


'% 


.^0^^^^ 


♦   *■•■■,., 


WBTV  PLANS.  '^"j 


273 


/ 


CHAPTER  XX. 

New  Plans. ,-  Our  TiaveUem  join  the  Fnr  TV--. 

twelling  with  a  bJ.  r*        "  f^  opportonily  «f        #:  *  | 
^idc  joined  becaase  it  affprdej  Mm  n.. ., 


PR 


'y 


274 


NEW  FLANS. 


tains,  and  shooting  the  big-horned  sheep  which  abounded 
there,  and  the  grizzly  "bars,"  as  Joe  jiamed  them,  or 
"  Caleb,"  as  they  were  more  frequently  styled  by  Henri 
and  the  other  men.  '     '■  ^ 

Henri  joined  because  it  was  agreeable  to  the  inclina- 
tion of  his  own  rollicking,  blundering,  floun^ring,  crash- 
ing disposition,  and  because  he  would  have  joi^  wiy 
thing  that  had  been  joined  by  the  other  two. 
,  Crusoe's  reason  for  joining  was  single,  simple,  easy  to 
be  expressed,  easy  to  be  understood,  and  commendable. 
He  joined  —  because  Dick  did. 

The  very  day  after  the  part^  left  the  encampment 
where^Dick  had  shot  the  grizzly  bear  and  the  deer,  he 
had  the  satisfaction  of  brhiging  !-doWlH»plendid  speci- 
men of  the  big-homed  sheep.  lit^'HR  suddenly  out 
from  a  gorge  of  the  mountain,  ani*  stood  upon  the  giddy 
edge  of  a  tremendous  precipice,^  at  a  distance  of  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  yards. 

"  JoM  could  not  hit  that,"  said  a  trapper  to  Henri, 
who  was  rather  fond  of  jeering  him  about  his  short- 
sightedness. 

«Non!"  cried  Henri,  who  didn't  see  the  animal  in 
the  least;  "say  you  dat?  ve  shall  see;"  and  he 'let  fly 
with  a  promptitude  that  amazed  hia  comrades,  and  with 
%  result  that  drew  from  them  peals  of  laughter. 

«  Why,  you  have  missed  the  mountain  I " 
!^-h,  noo^t  dat  am  eempoasobW-    ..  ..  _ ■■.i:.::^ 


BIG-HOEXED    SHEEP.  275 

•^  It  was  true,  nevertheless,  fpr  Jus  baU  had  been  ar 

ma,  u.e  shot  ,„  y,,  ^^  ^^  ■ 

«l»va  refe^  to  had  pealed fa«b,  Dick  VarWflT 

«^«Wy  larger  „  si.e  a^  .fc,  ,„„,,,„ 

We  descnbed  a»  «>»ewha. Wa.bli.g  a  dl  h 
«»  bodyand  a  ram  is  a.e  head     I,,  i, 

chief  ~,i».    f  ■  ^"^  ''o™  *«re  the 

*^f  pomt  ef  „,e^.  ^  Did.. 

e  iiocky  MouDtams,  and  are  difflcuU  to  wCwh. 
Ue,  have  a  g,e..  f„„d„ess  for  sal,  and,  J^g^^ 
^-to  to  U,e  nmnero<„  eaverna  of  these  monnlL 
»la*  are  encrusted  „ia.  a  saline  saWee.        T 

«^  to  the  eastwart,  „  ie  f^«nd  the  „„n..y  not 
"fall  of  bearer  at  that  |»rtic»lar  snot^  ■■.  ..^^Hd 
Twa.  BeOSe&re tunied tow«* the ^e^peneZed 


w 


^ 


f^^i 


276 


THB  FUB  TBADE. 


into  the  interior  of  the  mountains,  and  took  a  consider- 
able sweep' through  the  lovely  valleys  on  their  western 
slopes.  -  ^ 

The  expedition  which  this  enterprising  fur-trader  was 
conductmg,  was  one  of  the  first  that  ever  penetrated 
.  these  wild  regions  in  search  of  furs.  The  ground  over 
which  they  travelled  was  quite  new  to  them,  and,  having 
no  guide,  tiiey  just  moved  about  at  hap-hazard,  encamp- 
)ing  on  the  margin  of  every  stream  or  river  on  which 
signs  of  the  presence  of  beaver  were  discovered,  and 
setting  their  traps. 

Beaver  skins  at  this  time  were  worth  25s.  a  piece  in 
the  markets  of  civilized  lands,  and  in  the  Snake  coun- 
try, through  which  our  friends  were  travelling,  thou- 
sands of  them  were  to  be  had  Jrom  the  Indians  for  trin- 
kets and  baubles  that  were  scarce  worth  a  farthing.  A 
beaver  skin  could  be  procured  fro^  the  Indians  for  a 
brass  finger  ring  or  a  penny  looking-glass.  Horses  were 
also  so  numerous  that  one  could  be  procured  for  an  axe 
or  a  knife. 

Let  not  the  reader,  liowever,  hastily  conclude  that 
the  traders  cHeiated  the  Indians  in  this  traffic,  though 
the  profits  were  so  enormous.  The  ring  or  the  axe  was 
indeed  a  trifle  to  the  trader,  but  the  beaver  skin  and 
the  horse  were  equally  trifles  to  the  savage,  who  could 
procure  as  many  of  them  as  he  chose  with  very  little 
-UouoiCy  wiuie^  tne  ring  asu  the  axo-weromHI^  estima-^ 


™*  SOCKT  MOTOTADrs. 


\  877 

«>f  «fpli^eM,»,I„e.    Besides  h.-, 

««7  that  ^g  and  ttai  „»^*^  /  "  '«»embe,^  fc, 

■nore  yzatfy  conducted  fi,,  •  '"    ^'  """  ""t 

<!»«*  give!  J  r'u  :'  "■  -T'  "'  *»  "-^  of  ■ 

«™».c.o„™::::7"^"^-^-d^,„ 

«>-.a.i.e  va,„es  of  .nices  X'      "  *"  ""^ 

The  snow  which  had  p,^tarel,&IlenW 
•™y,  and  the  trappere  now  fi.    V^*^™  ''"'  P«Med 

%'..r«V.hati.woJha,erIt.t;r''"''" 
paradise,  hue  f„r  ,h„  „„^     ^^  to  then, ,  perfect 

"en-.^-dieptaelettre"" '""'"''''"-'      ' 

-peolrheSn^Lr  ■■"""^'^  """-  «' 
-.r  ridges,  whifh  di^ded^^,^^  '^''^^  'V 
'"-H™.  ™,es,  coo.p:^',^^;:'^  "r  •  ""^ 

p-iHe.iwnghtCrei::^^*-^'-"' 

"e  the  hind     Th.»  J       ,        "°*°*'»  "«d  enrich. 
"^J  ot  the  tatter  were  so  hot  that 


y 


278 


THE  BOCKT  MOUNTAINS. 


bA 


meat  could  he  boiled  in  them.  Salt  existed  in  all 
directions  in  abmidance,  and  of  good  quality.  A  sul- 
phurous spring  was  also  discovered,  bubbling  out  from 
the  base  of  st  perpendicular  rock  three  hundred  feet 
high,  the  waters  of  which  were  dark-blue,  and  tasted 
like  gunpowder.  In  short,  the  land  presented  eyery 
variety  of  feature  calculated  to  charm  the  imagination 
and  delight  the  eye.  ^ 

,  It  was  a  mysterious  land,  too,  for  broad  rivers  burst 
in  many  places  from  ^  earth,  flowed  on  a  short  space, 
and  then  disappeared  as  if  by  magic  into  the  earth  fcom 
which  they  rose.  Natural  bridges  spanned  the  tor- 
re^nts  in  many  places,  and  some  of  these  were  so  cor- 
rectly formed  that  it  was  diflBcult  to  believe  they  had 
not  been  built  by  the  hand  of  man.  They  often 
appeared  opportunely  to  our4rappers,  and  saved  them 
the  trouble  and  danger  of  fording  rivers.  Frequently 
the  whole  band  would  stop  in  silent  wonder  and  awe  as 
they  lisfen^  to  the  rushing  of  waters  under  their  feet, 
asif  another\world  of  streams,  and  rapids,  and  cataracts 
were  flowing  below  the  crust  of  earth  on  which  they 
stood.  Some  considerable  streams  were  likewise  ob- 
served to  gush  from  the  faces  of  precipices,  some  twenty 
or  thirty  feet  from  their  summits,  while  on  the  top  no 
water  was  to  be  seen. 

Wild  berries  of  all  kinds  were  found  in  abundance, 
juad  wild  vegetables,  besides  many  nutritious   roots. 


X 


Jse  were  so  cop- 


279 

"^  -e  bank,  of  iJe  td.^T'-'r  *"^"'  "^  "^'^ 

'«e*,  .nd  oo,n„i.«„,7;  °  7'"°""^  """  '«  *4 
"■"^  M  been  arJa  11  t       °° '"  '*««>-'»a,if 

■»«io,  «.e  Wack  fox  ."ndT"'  ^  "'' '"'  '«'■'<"« '  '"« 

-•"^-ofp.e,,r:„.t»':ri'':r"'''''^"'^ 

0°  the  rocky  ridges  .„rf  V.        '^''  «°"'»  "•">««! 
iole,.  ,,  ,,  ^'''  ^^  "»"'«e-^  peeped  fon.  u,ei, 

Here,  too,  the  wild  h 

"•"eand  tail,  »p.„t,.„g  sCl^"-""''  """"^"g 
««-  «.„nde„d  away  „t  le'  T-  '"""^^"''  ^''~ 
^  ™*,  eehoed  back  w     *"  "t  ™"^^''  "'"= 
l<«vr,  ungainly  elk,  or  „'"  ""«'•    ^'^  i-Se, 
fte  ta.yeUe«  with  LJT;^"'-  '"""^  '"V  f«.m 

'"'•    Be«^  too,  bhck  1^    ^  "  ■"'^'•«'  «'  tte 

"^TbXrorr^  "■-'"-  "»• » «- 

■"""-fi-"' elk,,  and  thirty  rcd^ecrihav- 


280 


SiTAOEg. 


ing  shot  them  all  a  short  distance  ahead  of  the  main 
body,  and  almost  without  diverging  from  the  line  of 
march.  And  this  was  a  j^atter  of  every  day  occarrence 
—  as  it  had  need  to  be,  conaJd^j^^e  jpomber  of  mouths 
that  had  to  be  filled. 

The  feathered  tribes  were  not  less  numerous.  Chief 
among  these  were  eagles  and  vultures  of  uncommon 
size,  the  wild  goose,  wild  duck,  and  the  majestic  swan. 

In  the  midst  of  such  pro/usjon  the  trappers  spent  a 
ha^py  time  of  it,  when  not  molested  by  the  savages,  but 
they  frequently  lost  a  horse  or  two  in  consequence  of 
the  exptirtness  of  these  thievish  fellows.  They  often 
wandered,  however,  for  days  at  a  time  without  seeing 
an  Indian,  and  at  such  times  they  enjoyed  to  the  full 
the  luxuries  with  which  a  bountiful  Gpd  had  blessed 
these  romantic  regions. 

Dick  Varley  was  almost  wild  with  delight  It  was 
his  first  excursion  into  the  remote  wilderness ;  he  was 
young,  healthy,  strong,  and  romantic ;  and  it  is  a  ques- 
tion whether  his  or  his  dog's  heart,  or  that  of  the  noble 
wild  horse  he  bestrode,  bounded  most  with  joy  at  the 
glorious  sights,  and  sounds,  and  influences  by  which  they 
were  surrounded.  It  would  have  been  perfection  had  it 
not  been  for  the  frequent  annoyance  and  alarms  caused 
by  the  Indians. 

Alas !  alas  I  that  we  who  write  and  read  about  those 
wondrous  scenes  should  have  to  condemn  oui 


'V 


i  ^ "  ''^^ 


id  about  those 


281 

aes  as  the  most  de»adfl.J  nP  „  . 

«»«i«.o.  in  a,.  P.U,  "-""»«■■«  hi.  «.«„  ^ 
*^"  point,  oa^i,GodV  ?  "■"  '"^  "*'"*  "- 

pi"""  of  «,e  e«.h  /  j;^;" '^°'  '"'"'■■fr  .o  .he  „.* 
""«"y  "Wch  ^,  ,^^  ''™<^*  Wciednes,  ..d 
^«  we  are  olM.^*  »'«'«'■«".«». 

-*-e„^tr:t:ri;r^-«"' 

•"Pw^e  the  heart    I^.  ,,  w       ^  ''™°  ^  "Bver 
?<«.«».  de,^  „f  ^^  3™=  ««d  i.  «•«  tell 

»»  a«%j  civilized,  thoush  ™,»  «F°™  P"Pefa«ed  in 

'^« '"« po«.i.  ^  ZlmTf^^  ""«»«°«  » 

•^■»W™  dye,  which  L  ""^*-   Christi«,|h, 

'^----Srerr''-"-'^-.' 

i:be  success  of  ♦!,«  * 
"«  e«.t    I„  .D t^^™  '':  ""^"^S  '««ver  here 
'"^    One  day  aeTt^lT*  ""■  '^-«»  «.er  we« 


^ 


^" 


\ 


I»/.  ■■■  ''yiv^^tJ"  -iT 


282 


DICK,  OBUSOE,.  AMD   CHABLET. 


the  earth  as  saddenly  as  it  had  risen.  Eve^  in 
strange  place  b°eaver  were  seen,  so  the  faraps  were  s^t, 
and  a  hundred  and  fifty  were  caught  at  the  first  lift. 
, '  The  manner  in  which  the  party -proceeded  was  as  fol- 
lows :  I'hey  marched  in  a  mass  in  groijps  or  in  a  long 
line,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  ground  ov^  Irhich 
they  tn^velled.  The  hunters  of  the  party  wei^  lorwai^ 
a  mile  or  two  in  advance,  abd  scattel^  through  ^e 
^oods.  After  them  came  the  advance-guard,  being  the 
bravest  and  most  stalwart  of  the  men  mounted  on  their 
best  steeds,  and  with  rifle  in  hand ;  immediately  behind 
followed  the  women  and  childretr,  also  mounted,  and  ' 
the  .pack-horses  with  the  goods  and, camp  eqnipage. 
Another  band  of  trappess  formed  the  rear-guard  to  thii 
imposing  cavalcade.  There  was  no  strict  regpmental 
order  kept,  but  the  people  soon  tuatee  to  adopt  the  ar- 
rangeuiients  that  were  most  convenient  for  all  parties, 
»  and  at  length  fell  naturaUy^to  their  places  in  tfib  line 
of  march. 

:  Joe  Blunt  ultially  was  the  foremost  and  always  the 

most  successful  of  the  hunters.  Ife  was  therefore  sel- 
dom seen  on  the  march  except  at  the  hour  of  starting, 
and  at  night  when  he  came*  back  leading  his  horse, 
which  always  groaned  under  its  heavy  load  of  meat 
Henri,  being  a  hearty,  jovial  soul,  and  fond  of  society, 
usually  kept  with  the  main  body.     As  for  Dick,  he  was 

^   eveiy  where  at  oncerat  least  M^much  so  4ts.4t-iapQBMblo 


( 


(■)• 


b«ps  were  s^t, 


•*»ed  to  delight  b  i„i„,  „,  TT^    ""•  "'"^ ;  iV 

^  ""-B-o  «  .  dee.    Dieit,!   ""^  °'  ''«'""'»S  after  a 
"".a  «>«„  Of  g^..„  j;^ -^  «-™M  «3  .eck 

- tr-r  -^*  -t^  ~ 

""  «o"«Iy  piled  i^e„,h?„.t„''"''"'"^  •"  ''''  "»"'' 
■     ""A  or  dirt.  forX-fl^  .  '  "  "o  *>"»  » l>«<«t- 

-•««.  Who  ofteo  dogged  U.e  ts^^  .T  ""'"'"« 
Cameron  was  an  ol^  »,„  ^  ^      "'*^  ^^®*L     ^t 

-p.  M.7Z:lT-  ""'^'"'  ^°-"'' "  -^""  ^ . 

From  this  point  aU  the  tro^      '  ' 

•»  ftot  «Ki  »i«ne  6.  hJ^L  J^°"*™"»°»-«>"»  -  • 


7*"^*^  mfles/Tthev  L^  . 
i^«»ing.      '     "^"^^^^^^  to  return  to 


%yjeiof-:«iyeiirtnrtSer 


°8«ip  eveiy 


f^ji'-jiijUr^i^" ,- s,wf.-i!^-iia> 


284  - 


TBAPPIKG  BEATEB. 


Each  trapper  had  ten  steel-traps  allowed  him.  These 
he  set  erery  night,  and  visited  every  morning,  sometimes 
oflener,  when  practicable,  selecting  a  spot  in  the^  stream 
where  many  trees  had  been  cut  down  by  beavers  f^r  the 
purpose  of  damming  up  the  water.  In  some  places  as 
many  (as  fifty  tree  stumps  were  seen  in  one  spot,  within 
the  compass  of  half  an  acre,  all  cutrt]^ugh  at  about 
eighteen  inches  from  the  root.  -We  may  remark,  in 
passing,  that  the  beaver  is  very  much  like  a  gigantic 
water-rat,  with  this  marked  difference,  that  its  tail  is 
very  broad  and  flat  like  a  paddle.  The  said  tail  is  a 
greatly  esteemed  article  of  food,  as,  indeed,  is  the  whole 
body  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year.  The  beaver's  fore- 
legs are  very  small  and  short,  and  it  uses  its  paws  as 
hands  to  convey  food  to  its  mouth,  sitting  the  while  in 
an  erect  position  on  its  hind-legs  and  taiL  Its  fur  is  a 
dense  coat  of  a  grayish-colored  down,  concealed  by  long 
coarse  hair,  which  lies  smooth,  and  is  of  a  bright  chest- 
nut color.  Its  teeth  and  jaws  are  of  enormous  power ; 
With  them  it  can  cut  through  the  branch  of  a  tree  as 
thick  as  a  walking-stick  at  one  snap ;  and  as  we  have 
said,  it  gnaws  through  thick  trees  themselves. 

As  soon  as  a  tree  falls,  the  beavers  set  to  work  indtis- 
triously  to  lop  off  the  branches,  which,  as  weQ  as  the 
smaller  trunks,  they  cut  into  lengths,  according  to  their 
weight  and  thickness.    These  are  then  dragged  by  main 


force  to  the  water  side,  launched,  and  floated  to  their 


t-t  .V 


..^^;.>^-\:::.X...x^^^^_ 


up  the  w.(e„  „,,a  ^     _^2™       *  """"^  ^ 

•"  of  g«..  stre.^,  Z^ 'r*^/"  "*  P-IK., 
«Wi-eo".     Their^;,!'.:'^'' "»"««.  to  h„„», 

-^  "one,  wweh  fo«T„„r      "'  °'  ""=^  "H 
"W  i.  Winter,  „<,  ,™  :  ":^  ■»««».•  "^  fee«.       . 
""•kor,  the  wolverine!'         T*  °'  '^'  ''o-*- 

<^  of  holding  fon,  „Ht,  j.  *^  •  "*""*  "  "P""" 
"""'-^o.tion  i,  a^.^Z^:'^  ^"°°«»°-" 

^^--o  'odg,  ,e  iind,  a.  ^;"cr.Tr  ""*•"*• 

""■(Sly  slnb  ae  h«4^„„r*         ""■■• '»  "«'- 
f~-g<.  th.  iee,  «d  a™?' f^  ^  '"'*-8  »'.k« 

*'^«-   TFo «g«t it  kZ^    T *"*'*« &»iiy 


fewJieifl^iiii*  tf.  ,'-i-J  - 


.4! 
r 


fr?^?spfT'''™™?wr'PT'Tr!!;ra!|pw^^ 


286 


TBAPPmO  BEAVEB. 


Our  trappers  having  selected  their  several  localities, 
sfet  their  traps  in  the  water,  so  that  when  the  beavers 
roamed  about  at  night,  they  put  their  feet  into  them 
and  were  caught  and  drowned ;  for,  although  they  can 
swim  and  dive  admirably,  they  cannot  live  altogether 
under  water. 

'  Thus  the  different  parties  proceeded,  and  in  the  morn- 
ings the  camp  was  a  busy  scene  indeed,  for  then  the 
yhole  were  engaged  in  skinning  the  animals.  The  bea- 
vers thus  taken  were  always  skinned,  stretched,  df ied, 
folded  up  with  the  hair  in  the  inside,  laid  by,  and  the 
flesh  used  for  food. 

But  oftentimes  the  trappers  had  to  go  forth  with  the 
gun  in  one  hand  and  their  traps  in  the  other,  while  they 
kept  a  sharp  look-out  on  the  bushes  to  guard  against 
surprise.  Despite  their  utmost  efforts  a  horse  was  occa- 
sionally stolen  before  their  very  eyes,  and  sometimes 
even  an  unfortunate  trapper  was  murdered,  and  all  his 
traps  carried  off. 

An  event  of  this  kind  occurred  soon  after  the  party 
had  gained  the  western  slopes  of  the  mountains.  Three 
Iroquois  Indians,  who  belonged  to  the  band  of  trap- 
pers, were  sent  to  a  stream  about  ten  miles  off.  Hav- 
ing reached  their  destination,  they  all  entered  the  water 
to  set  their  traps,  foolishly  neglecting  the  usual  precau- 
tion  of  one  remiuning  on^e  bank  to  protect  the  others. 


They  had  scarcely  commenced  operations,  when  three  H  if 


«i£^^.'.'^L,.>^  1 


^^^^niiippiippiiii 


\ 


908,  when  three 


^  EXPEDITION. 


.287 


^  p™lo„ged  .fee  J  cl^!"'  '^"'"8  "-io»,  .6„„. 

•*««'•  thia  Md  erent  ihs  ,„' 
"ngas  beaver  were  tak^n  •      . 

One  day  Dick  Va  i 

""■he,  „f  a,  ,„  ""»«  »o.  to  di„„rt  „,,., 

■^  '-""und  the^  °°"°"'«'  **«■«'  to  go  o„" 

Cr"^""»'— "Wa,.,e.„e„„,^, 
"6  have  6thoi«  ♦!.• 

.'^-^oa  «.e  <«ker  «1    ,7^^  ""  ""^  «„. 


"^:. 


■r'" 


288 


EXPEDITION  TO   THE  BLUE   HILLS. 


I'll  warrant  you'll  find  enough  in  the  way  of  bear- 
hunting  to  satisfy  you ;  perhaps  a  little  Indian  hunting 
to  boot,  for  if  the  Banatees  get  hold  of  your  horses, 
you'll  have  a- long  hunt  before  you  find  them  again. 
Will  you  go?"  V 

<*Ay,  right  gkdly,"  repUed  Dick.     "When  do  we 

start?" 

"This  afternoon." 
'  Dick  went  oflF  at  once  to  his  own  part  of  the  camp 
to  replenish  his  powder-horn  and  bullet  pouch,  and  wipe 

out  his  rifle. 

That  evening  the  party,  under  command  of  a  Cana- 
dian named  Pierre,  set  out  for  the  Blue  Hills.  They 
numbered  twenty  men,  and  expected  to  be  absent  three 
days,  for  they  merely  went  to  reconnoitre,  not  to  trap 
Neither  Joe  nor  Henri  were  of  this  party,  both  havmg 
been  out  hunting  when  it  was  organized.  But  Crusoe 
and  Charlie  were,  of  course  I 

Pierre,  although  a  brave  and  trusty  man,  was  of  a 
sour,  angry  disposition,  and  not  a  favorite  with  Dick, 
but  the  latter  resolved  to  eigoy  himself  and  disregard 
his  sulky  comrade.  Being  so  well  mounted,  he  not  un- 
frequentty  shot  fiur  ahead  of  his  companions,  despite 
their  warnings  that  he  ran  great  risk  by  so  doing. 
On  one  of  these  occasions  he  and  Crusoe  witnessed 
"   ft  vetywngufa^  fi^^i  whieh  ia  worthy  of  jsecord. 

Dick  had  felt  a  little  wilder  in  spirit  that  morning  I 


"When  do  we 


A  8TBANGB  MOHT.  .,        289 

«««•  iMual,  and  |h  coming  to  a  nr^f^ 

ra^r  he  wasout  ^f  sight  in  a  few  J^  "^''^ 
on  several  miles  in  „j  "'"Juies.    He  rode 

«^«d  then,  too,  and  aoonwo.M?^      C™oe  ob- 

•»  fe  beliigeren..  «  po^sMe,  7  fouorrf  "  ""^ 
a  wild  turkey-cock   th.    ..,  ^'  **"®  ^a« 

feathers  brieUing  for  a  1  "f  """"^  ""J  "U  fl,eir 

e«^  other,  ^atjivc;:^^^^'' *"""•' 

continued  for  abontflre  minutes  wi*^  .  ^  "" 

•won  either  ride.        """''''"""'"' "fP^* «i™,. 

■^  "a  iooking  onf  ee  »,  -  Cl^^l? 
«"  him  instnnU,,  «d  tried  to  fly  .  "T!.         ^  ° 


*  ^  i»>min|  I  %  rtih^  «^i^^^'  ""^  Wpathie.  ril 


25 


290 


AK  ENEMY  m  AMBUSH. 


Crusoe  went  forward  at  a  bound,  and  was  met  by  a 
peck  between  the  eyes  that  would  have  turned 
dogs,  but  Crusoe  only  winked,  and  the  next  moment  the 
eagle's  career  was  ended.  ^ 

Dick  found  that  the  turkey-cock  was  quite  blind,  the 
eagle  having  thrust  out  both  its  eyes,  so,  in  mercy,  he 
put  an  end  to  its  sufferings. 

The  fight  had  evidently  s^en  a  long  and  severe  one, 
tat  the  grass  all  round  the  spot,  for  about  twenty  yards, 
was  beaten  to  the  ground,  and  covered  with  the  blood 
and  feathers  of  the  fierce  combatants. 

Meditating  on  the  fight  which  he  had  just  witnessed, 
Dick  returned  towards  the  ^t  where/he  had  left  Char- 
lie, when  he  suddenly  missed  Crusoe  from  his  side. 

'^HaUo,  Crusoe!  here,  pup,  where  are  you?"  he 
cried. 

The  only  answer  to  this  was  a  sharp  whizzing  sound, 
and  an  arrow,  passing  close  to  his  ear,  quivered  in  a 
tree  beyond.  Almost  at  the<:same  moment  Crusoe's 
angry  loar  was  followed  by  a  shriek  from  some  one  in 
fea^  or  agony.  Cocking  his  rifle,  the  young  hunter 
sprang  through  the  bushes  towards  his  horse,  and  was 
just  in  time  to  save  a  Banatee  Indian  from  being 
Btnm^ed  by  the  dog.  It  had  evidently  scented  out  this 
fi^ow,  and  pinned  him  just  as  he  was  in  the  act  of 
^  aprinpBg^»  fee  back  <rf  CharHe,  ^  the  luJt^^^ 
and  the  savage  lay  on  the  ground  dose  beside  him. 


1  DICK'S  PBISONEB.  "'     '    ''       t 

Dick  called  off  th« /!«»      ^ 

began  to  tremble  for  hk  «.„i        T  '*'^'*«*'  ^^o 

vsne  of  amiable,  while  Dl*  ^  ""  *=  "" 

""'•      Th;i„I?^'™°f'''""»»''«'«l'<>tiefoa 

C-soe.  uLf ::,  \t"^'  ;  "-^-W  in 

muscle.  '     "^^^^'cr,  to  move  a^    - 

Inafew8lcond8Dickr«t.««  J    ., 

-««".^.».a,.et'r:tr'^;"-«  ■ 

being  done  the  Indian  glanced  JT^,    •  *""  ""^ 

-^ich  la,  a  few  feet  fZTl^Z,  T^  "''^  ^'^^ 
^''e  ^  caught  hin,,  but  c;^^  '*  "^^  ^^  -^«- 
^.  for  he  fevo«d  h^    ^r      '^"'^  *"  "nde«tand 

'^  »  Jow-apparenUjr  distant,  ahnoe^ 


Q 


P^ip»Pi!W»PW"iPP!'^"»W«PPiPliif^^ 


292 


dick's  pbisokeb. 


we  might  say,  subterranean  —  rumUe,  that  he  resigned 
himself  to  his  fate. 

His  hands  secnred,  a  long  line  was  attached  to  his 
neck  with  a  running'  noose,  so  that  if  he  ventured  to 
run  away  the  attempt  would  effect  its  own  cure  by  pro- 
ducing strangulation.  The  other  end  of  this  Une  was 
given  to  Crusoe,  who  at  the  word  of  command  marched 
him  off,  while  Dick  mounted  Charlie  and  l)rought  up 
the  rear. 

Great  was  the  laughter  and  merriment  when  this 
apparition  met  the  eyes  of  ^e  trappers ;  but  when 
they  heard  that  he  had  attempted  to  shoot  "Dick  their 
ire  was  ra^ed,  and  a  court-martial  was  held  on  ^  the 
spot. 

"  Hang  the  reptile  1 "  cried  one. 

"  Bum  him ! "  shonted  another. 

"No,  no,"  said  a  third;  "don't  imitate  them  villains; 
don't  be  crueL    Let's  shoot  lym." 

« Shoot 'im,"  cried  Pierre;  "Oui,  dat  is  jde  ting;  it 
too  goot  pour  lui,  mais;  it  shall  be  dooed." 

"  Don't  ye  think,  lads,  it  would  be  better  to  let  the 
poor  wretcb  off?  "  said  Dick  Varley ;  "  he'd  p'raps  give 
a  good  account  o'  us  to  his  people." 

There  was  a  universal  shout  of  contempt  at  this  mild 

proposaL    Unfortunately,  few  ortVe  men  sent  on  this 

:=»^Iacmg«xpedido&were  imbued  with  the  peace-making 


I  v> 


lat  he  resigned 


™B  PBISONEB  LET  OFF. 


293: 
•Piritoftheircliefjmd  „„,.,. 
l-ve  a  cbaoce  of  v»«„ "T     .  """"^  «•""  "o 

-H™  on .au.  ■uJ.apI'X*  *"!  """"^  of  *«  P«r  In- 

"'^  <"  ""eT  voices. 
0«*  WM  resolved  al  the  risk  of 
^^«™'o»avetheMor™.  ....  "  ''''"^'  "i* 

■"'•d  -0  «s,  0^;^^"  "^^' "O  •»-»  -ade  „p  w, 

'«■««.' ...cweCCo;:;:r '"''°  '^'"» 

•^  "^es  ranker  oa.  andThet  wJ::':'^  «'«"* 
"a  warning  to  dl  his  tribe.  ^ ''™ ^'P  »■""«« 

"Agreed,  agreed,"  cried  the  men .  «„ 
Diet,  too,  seemed  to .greelT '  °°" 

%  o^e,«,  crnsoe  to  Tl  I  V"*^''  ""<■  i-* 
-rter  Which  the  dog  ZZ  T.  *  *°  "^"^^ 
«>e  a,e„  h«,  done  laughing  ^  iT""''^  '^'  '^<'" 
"""d^J  yards  ahead  o^  th!n,  ™  "  """"'""^ 

"  Talce  care  that  he  don't  get  offi »  ^  .  ^.  ^ 
-"g^Ci.arheanastre.chhyrLX"^'''-- 

---..^.on^g.-^j-LTdXv 

^^hite  remove  the  Indians.- 


-"  ^"ve  me  Indians.* 
-^^^-^.^^ereTone^an.^;;^ 


• 


^*aMl34'-£;f  is.- 


294 


PIEBSB  INSOLENT. 


and  the  next  moment  bounded  aside  into  the  bnshes  and 
,  was  gone.  >s 

A  loud  shout  from  the  party  behind  showed  that  this 
act  had  been  observed,  and  Crusoe  stood  with  the  end 
of  the  line  in  his  mouth,  and  an  expre^on  on  his  face 
that  said,  ''You're  absolutely  incomprehensible,  Didcl 
It's  all  right,  I  know;  but  to  my  feeble  capacity  it  aeerfU 
wrong."  1 

■*•  Fat  for  you  do  dat?"  shouted  Pierre  in  a  rage,  as 
he  came  up  with  a  menadn'g  look. 

Dick  confronted  him.  '(The  prisoner  iras  mine.  I 
had  a  right  to  do  with  him  as  it  liked  me." 

"  True,  true,''  cried  several  of  the  men  who  had  begun 
to  repent  of  their  resolution,  and  were  glad  the  savage 
Was  off.    *«  The  lad's  right     Get  along,  Pierre." 

**  You  had  no  right,  you  vas  wrong.  Oui,  et  I  htfre 
goot  vill  to  give  you  one  knock  on  de  nose." 

Dick  looked  Pieire  in  the  face,  as  he  said  this,  in  a 
manner  that  oowe^ffii>x^ 

"  It  is  time,'*'  he  said  quietly,  pointing  to  the  sun,  "  to 
go  on.  Your  bourgeois  expects  that  tame  won't  be 
wasted."  .  x^ 

Pierre  muttered  something  in  an  angry,  tone,  "and, 
wheeling  roufli^*  his  horse,  dashed  forward  at  full  ^op, 
followed  by  the  rest  of  the  men.  ^ 

The  trappers  eqcAped  that  night  on  the  edge  of  a 


the  bnshes  and 


re  jn  a  rage,  as 


r  was  mine.    I 


'*HnsVES  W  CAMP 

Dick  ™,„,^gg-^  _ 

"•»  «li,l.e  got  for  ii,      .      T"-    -*»  "■'""^  .Mwer 

hone,.  *"  ^''O  "  '^■P  '""k-om  on  Z  other 

At  ™ppe,ie  again  „„„„.^^; 

^un  know  that,"  sairi  «  ♦    •. 
%  ventnml  a  remaTS    T"  '"'''^■■'  "*'>  '«'- 

tteir  hea«.  „»',.»  °  '""  '"^'^  "<■»  the>  «.  , 

I V  ^-»ite  of  «hi„k  „^  ™*  "  *<'°'  °f  hnghter,  i„  L 
V  ».gic  fc„  In".^':l"«  ^«"  ™  "'""i.  »d,  aJif 
«f«»be..lo«es.!r-    T.°''°°''  *'  '»«*'  »f  4.r 


»»H  «i  not  wait  h.  ^^"^^  -nysieiT,  hut 
"""""■""iMthalDoint    n.....:^ 


I»'"it-    Catching  a  3 


1 W  J3»  BHUdt"  B*»a»"  ■■■»*  ■■ 


<^ 


296 


BANATTEE  ItOBBBBS. 


their  guns  they  sprang  after  them  with  the  fiiiy  of  mad- 
men, and  were  quickly  scattered  far  and  wide.  Dick 
ordered  Crlisoe  to  follow  igad  help  the  men,  and  turned 
to  spring  on  the  bac^  of  Charlie,  bat  at  th^t  montuit 
he  observed  an  Indian's  head  and  shoulders  rise  above 
the  grass,  not  fifty  yards  in  advance  from  him,  to  with- 
out hesitation  he  darted  forward,  intending  to  pounce 
upon  him.  ^ 

Well  would  it  have  been  for  Dick  Varley  had  he  at 
thiit  time  possessed  a  little  more  experience  of  the  wiles 
and  stratagems  of  the  Banattees.  The  Snake  natbn  is 
sub-divided  mf^i^^emL  tribes,  of  which  those  inhabiting 
the  BoCky  Mountains,  called  the  Banattees,  are  the  most 
perfidious.  Indeed,  they  are  confessedly  the  banditti  of 
the  hills,  and  respect  neither  firiend  nor  foe,  but  rob  all 
who  come  lA  their  way,, 

Dick  reached  the  spot  where  the  Indian  had  disap- 
peared in  less  than  a  minute,  but  no  savtige  was  to  be 
seen  I  Thinking  he  had  crept  ahead  he  ran  on  a  few 
yards  farther,  and  darted  about  y||ga^nd  thither, 
while  his  eyes  i^luiced  from  side  ^^M^HMidenly  ai 
shout  in.the  capip  attracted  his  4RHM|^rKriooking 
back  he  beheld  the  savage  otf  Charlie's  back  turning  to 
fly.  >Next  ipofn^t  he  was  off  and  away  far  beyond  the. 
hppe  of  recovery\    Dick  had  left  his  rifle  in  the  camp, 

!ierw||$e  the  savage  would  have  gone  but  a  short  way 
t-aa |y|M, Di9t  i^furhed, and utUng down  oii  ainbundT  1 


rn  on  a  "m6fin3~ 


j^  *■  *^»   CONDITION.  297 

diie  been  there,  for  jQotBing  on  fiL  u„ 
-uld  keep  pace  with  Charlie  '^'  "  °"  *"^ 

•    •    The  Banattee  achieved  this  feat  hV  nA^r.*- 

P--ed  fa  apposed  u,  be  hiding,  he  heJLT  2.,: 
I.  w«  tl,„,  u,al  46  Bjaattee  eluded  Di»k  „dg.i„ed 

r"«g««  fc.  rep™«h  each  «fl,er.    Ere  W  „^e  o, 
moniuiflr.\  when  thA»  »~.—  •_  «.  «« 


°^r^8^  when  they  atOBc  in  a 


^tigHJarj^Bilentjuid- 


•  M 


fejliuwy^  rollej:  „p  ^g.^  bia^ets,  strapbed  their 


A/ 


^ 


298 


WOLVES  ATTACK  THE  HOltBES. 


'«} 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


Wolves  attack  the  Hones,  and  Came|x>ii  circumvents  the  Wolves.  - 

A  Bear-hunt,  in  which  Henri  shines  conspi<!aous. — Joe  and  the 

it 
Y  Natter-list"  —  An  Alarm. — A  Surprise  and  a  Capture. 

Wb  must  now  return  to  the  can^  where  Walter 
Cameron  still  guarded  the  goods,  and  the  men  pursued 
their  trapping  atocations. 

Here  seven  of  the  horses  had  been  killed  in  one  night 
by  wolves  while  grazing  in  a  plain  dose  to  the  catnp, 
and4>n  the  night  following,  a  horse  that  had  strayed  was 
aliio  torn  to  pieces  and  devoured.  The  prompt  and  dar- 
ing manner  in  which  this  had  been.done  convinced  the 
trader  that  white  wolves  had  unfortunately  scented  them 
out,  and  he  set  several  traps  in  the  hope  of  capturing 
them^  * 

'  White  wolves  are  qt^te  distinct  firom  the  ordinary 
wolves  that  prowl  through  woods  and  plains  in  large 
packs.  They  are  much  lai^r,  weighing  sometimes 
as  much  as  a  hundred  and  thirty  pouiiids ;  but  they 
are  comparatively  scarce,  and  move  about  alone,  or  in 


smaH  bands  of  three  or  four.    Their  strength  is  enor* 
mous,  and  thoy  are  so  fierce  that  they  do  not  hesitate. 


I       '  j*'^"ji'.  •!, 


i.  .emmeii»i 


,^,.,,^*^. 


'^]^' 


WHITE  WOLVES  Al^CKlNO  HOBSES.  299 

upon  occasions,  to  attack  man  himself    ti..-       \ 

pnjach  ti.efr  vioU.  „i«.  „.»  ^.  ^^^^^  J*«J  «^ 

frolicsome  eamboTa  i^^^  j  wuoug  ana 

frisking  .1  .,  '  ^^  '''''  ^^  '^"^g  «bout,  and 
*nsk,ng  pleasantly  antil  the  hort^  becomes  a  uT 
accustomed  to  them      Ti,  becomes  a  httle 

front  th«    .r  ^^'^  o°«  approaches  right  in 

iront,  the  other  in  rear  Rhll  A^-.i  •         ,     „      &  "  ^ 

BiiMltaneoua  rash.    Tt.  wnif  »i,-  i. 

i.  Ik.  .  .  "o'f  which  approaches  in  rear 

»  ae  .n,e  a,^,,  4,  ,„^      ^^  J^ 

^';  aeo  boa.  fa,^  on  d..poor  h„r«,  h.:^^ 
orhlT'^"'^''''^-—^^^^™^ 

Q»eron  «.  his  .„p,  ^^^  ^^ 

"tt.  h„.  „  u,o  centoe  and  th»  reared  .„  ^  ^ J 

"«  «.  bold  when  fte  snudler  Wnds  .«  «,  „,„^^„ 

"r"*f  '^'-""  "  ""^  walled  along.         ^'' 
So  as'  replied  Joe,  .bnt  TV,  .^j  a^  ^^ 


■^.vi:.>„.,.*- ,.„.:.■,.,.. 


^^   ^        li 


.r.4.*^{jti 


800 


A  WHITE   WOLF   OAUGHT. 


'/ 


"I  believe  the  small  wolves  follow  the  big  fellows 
ad  help  them  to  eat  what  they  kill,  though  they  gener- 
iy  sit  round  and  look  t)n  at  the  killing." 
"  Hist ! "  exclaimed  Joe,  cocking  his  gun,  "  there  he 
is,  an'  no  mistake." 

There  he  was,  undoubtedly.  A  wolf  of  the  largest .  i 
size  with  one  of  his  feet  in  the  trap.  He  was  a  terribte ».; 
■looking  object,  for,  besides  his  immense  size  and  natur- 
ally ferocious  aspect,  his  white  hair  bristled  oh  end  and 
was  all  covered  with  streaks  and  spots  of  blood  from 
his  bloody  jaws.  In  his  efforts  to  escape  he  had  bitten 
the  trap  until  he  had  broken  his  teeth  and  lacerated  his 
gums,  so  that  his  appearance  was  hideous  in  the  ex-, 
treme.  And  when  the  two  men  came  up  he  struggled 
with  all  bis  might  to  fly  at  them. 

Cameron  and  Joe  stood  looking  at  him  in  a  sort  of 
wondering  admiration. 

"We'd  better  put  a  ball  in  him,*'  suggested  Joe, 
after  a  time.  "  Mayhap  the  chain  won't  stand  sich  tugs 
long." 

"  True,  Joe ;  if  it  breaks  we  might  get  an  ugly  nip 
before  we  killed  him." 

So  saying  Cameron  fired  into  the  wolf's  head  and 
killed  it.  It  was  found,  on  examination,  that  four  wolves 
had  been  in  the  traps,  but  the  rest  had  escaped.  Two 
of  them^^  however,  had  gnawed  (ff  their  paws  and  left 
them  lying  in  the  traps. 


him  in  a  sort  of 


get  an  ugly  nip 


^  BEAR  HUNT. 


C 


801 


After  this  the  big  wolves  ^M     . 

-««nigh  cost  one  of  the^'       T  ""'^'^^"^  ^^ch 
thus:-.  °*  *^«  J«>quois  his  life.    It  happened 

^^^e  Cameron  anrf  t«« 

"o  do™  in  de  ba,h  cl«e  bye  •  ■?  t,    ,.  "^  ""» 

™  an  idle  day  with  m^,  i ...         ""^"^  ."«»  «» 

<o  give  b«ae  to  u,,  b^  J  ^"^  "^  ^™  »«Bied  ftrU, 
IlepUeew„;J;;~,  ""'""'  *»  *->  '»• 

«« ^-wbirCniirrrr  -^ 

"■oment  the  bear,  g„t  wind  Ji  ^^'^  ""« 
"^^7  nu.do  „,r  .  J.  C:;-:™  ^'-^  -^ 
«  «»ne  of  flrin.  „ii„„-  '  ^  ""^  oommenced 

«^--the  ^".crrrerr""^^''^/ 

■"do  goed  their  ret^at.     ^21?  "'""^  K 
Wever,  were  lite  iel^d,  17,^,  ?^  ""■  ^'^^ 

The  heraemen  now  di.mn-i,ni,  .„j  ,,„.,,     ' ^ 


"">of««be.„,.hethi^t«trr':ir^'* 

^  "wi  waa  not  found  for  some 


802 


NABBOW  ESCAPES. 


time.  At  last  an  Iroqubis  cfune  upon  it  so  suddenly  that 
he  had  not  time  to  point  his  gun  before  the  bear  sprang 
upon  him  and  struck  him  to  the  earth,  where  it  held  him 
down. 

Instantly  the  place  was  surrounded  by  eager  men, 
but  the  bushes  were' so  thick  and  the  fallen  trees  among 
wUch  the  bear  stood  were  so  numerous,  that  they  could 
not  use  their  guns  without  running  the  risk  of  shooting 
their  companion.  Most  of  them  drew  their  knives 
and  seemed  about  to  rush  on  the  bear  with  these,  but 
the  monster's  aspect^  as  it  glared  round,  was  so  ter> 
rible  that  they  held  back  for  a  moment  in  h^itation. 

\At  this  moment  Henri,  who  had  been  at  some  dis- 
tance engaged  in  the  killing  of  one  of  the  other  bears, 
came  rushing  forward  aflw  his  own  peculiar  manner. 

«Ahl  fetiseelt— hay?  de  bar jao  go  under  yit?" 

Just  then  his  eye  fell  on  the  wounded  Iroquois  with 
die  bear  above  l»n,  and  he  uttered  a  yell  so  intense  in 
tone  tluit  the  bear  himself  seemedtp  feel  that  something 
decisive  was  about  to  be  done  at  last.  Henri  did  not 
pause,  but  with  a  flying  dash  he  sprang  like  a  spread 
eajgle,  arms  and  legs  extended,  right  into  the  bear's 
-bosom.  At  the  same  moment  he  sent  his  long  huntmg- 
knife  down  mto  its  heart  But  Bruin  is  proverbially 
hard  to  I^,  and  although  mortally  wounded,  he  had 
strength  enough  to  open  his  jaws  and  dose  them  on 
Henri's  nedk. 


^av. 


~         INDIAN  TENACITT  OJ  LIFE.  303 

lets  took  Pfli.«*      ^  ^        ^fortunately  the  bul- 

tts  «alp  WH  „„  alios,  off,  and  ^Xll       ^^ 

Among  other  trophies  of  this  hunt  there  wer«^w 


304 


BUFFALO  €UTTnifa-UP. 


Tlie  Indians  began  by  taking  (iff  the  skin,  which  cer- 
tainlj)  did  not  occupy  them  more  than  five  minutes. 
Then  theycut  up  the  meai;  and  made  a  pac&  of  it,  and 

.  cot  out  the  tongue,  which  is  somewhat  troublelsome,  as 
that  membef  r^uires  to  be  cut  out  from  under  the  jaw 
of  the  anim^,  and  not  through  the  natural  opening  of 
thei  mouth.  One  of  the  fore  legs  was  cut  off  at  thei  knee 
joint,  and  this  was  used  as  a  hammer  with  which  to 
break  the  skull  for  the  purpose  of  taking  out  the  brains, 
these  being  used  in  the  process  of  dressing  and  soften- 
ing the  animal's  skin.  An  ase  would  have  been  of  ad- 
vantage to  break  the  skuU,  btit  in  the  hurry  of  rushing 
to  the  attack  the  Indians  had  forgotten  their  axes,  so 
they  adopted  the  common  fashion  of  using  the  buffalo's 
lioof  as  a  hammer,  the  shank  being  the  handle.  The 
whole  operation  of  paying,  cutting  up,  and  packing  the 
meat,  did  not  occupy  more  than  twenty  minutes.  Bef(^re 
leaving  the  ground  these  expert  butchers  treated  them- 
selves to  a  little  of  the  marrow  and  warm  liver  in  a  raW 
state!  .  .  ^  .       \ 

Cameron  and  Joe  wal|:ed  up  to  the  group  while  they 
were  indulging  in  this  little  feast.  \ 

\    "Well,' I've  often  seen  that  eiuten,  but  I  nev'er  could  \ 
do  it  myself,"  remarked  the  former, 
'f  No!"  cried  Joe  in  surprise;  "how  thafs  oncommon 


two  (XT  three  days  at  a  time,  when  we  wos  chased  by  the 


M--- 


i^"t 


I  neVer  could 


JOE  AND  THF  «».». 


805 

Camanche  Injons  and  didn't  ^„ 

^'^gooditis.    WonW^     T"'*^^'-'^*'* 

good  it  is."  J'  f^^^^  ignorance  of  how 

"  WeU,  it  i,  strange  how  snmn  c^^. 
fng  in  the  n.eat  Zy  ZyTlT  ""'  '^'^'^  '^^ 
WlVeaetuali,knowdn,:nwJ^:r^-    ^'^^ 
«»'  a  bit  o'  ho«eflesh  for  love  o^  '  ^  ^°"^^'* 

lieve-it?"  "'^'^^^eormonej.    Would  ye  be- 

A  «Chucklin'?  if  ye  mean  be  that  ^WP.  •    . 
»t'8  because  I'm  thinkin'  n' .'  t.  ^«  "» to  myself' 

the  prairies,"      *  ^^  *'  °^««  «>med  out  to 

**Let  us  walk  bact  tn  ♦!,«    \  ■ 
-  .boat  i.™  .  tf  J°i?"-  '-•  "->  ^«-  -  .eU 

"I  Hint,"  continued  Joe  .<h„  „     ^, 
'". »«'  I  "ever  «,„M  ™2e  ot,t     T    """  '^°*'°8' 

"Pker-a  aattei^te  I  thiokt    7:      ™  '  •""^'»- 
«  *     ;  ^  ^  '^"^  he  call  his-self » 


feet 


«at^ 


26*  ^'^^a^ejeaan'.wore 


806 


JOB   AND  THE  "  iTATTEE-LIST." 


green  spectades.  He  had  on  a  gray  shootin'  coat  and 
trousers  and  vest  and  cap,  with  rid  whiskers  an'  a  long 
nose  as  rid  at  the  point  as  the  whiskers  wos. 

"Well,  this  gentleman  engaged  me  an'  another  hun- 
ter to  go  a  ^p  with  him  into  the  prairies,  so  off  we  sot 
one  fine  k&y  on  three  hosses  with  our  blankets  at  our 
backd^we  wos  to  depend  on  the  rifle  for  victuals.    At 
first  I  thought  the  Natter-li^t  one  o*  the  crueUest  beggars 
as  iver  went  on  two  long  legs,  for  he  used  to  go  about 
everywhere  pokin'  pins  through  all  the  beetles,  and 
flies,  aft'  creepin'  things  he  could  sot  eyes  on,  an'  stuck 
them  in  a  box ;  but  he  told  me  he  comed  here  a-purpose 
to  git  as  many  o'  them  as  he  could ;  so  says  I, '  If  that's 
it,  I'll  fill  yer  box  in  no  time.' 
« ♦  Wm  ye,'  says  he,  quite  pleased  like. 
«a  will,'  says  I,  an'  galloped  off  to  a  place  as  was 
fiUed  wi'  all  sorts  o'  crawlin'  things.    So  I  ^ets  to  work, 
and  whenever  I  seed  a  thmg  crawlin'  I  sot  my  fut  on  it 
and  crushed  it,  and  soon  filled  my  breast  pocket    I 
coched  a  lot  o'  butterflies  too,  an'  stuffed  them  into  my 
shofc^pouch,  and  ^ent  back  in>^  hour  or  two  an'  showed 
him  the  lot.    He  put  on  his  green  spectacles  and  looked 
at  them  as  if  he'd  seen  a  rattlesnake. 

«^My  good  man,'  says  he,  'you've  crushed  them  aU 
to  pieces ! ' 

« '  They'U  taste  as  good  fpr  aU  that,'  says  I,  for  some- 
liow  ;Jd^taken't  in  me  hea^  that  he'd  heard  o'  the  way 


^ 


JOB  AND  THB  «»*-,,„ 


««  langhed  »ie„  j     . 
«>"«*.'  ttem  to  tale  I,       ^  "■  ""'^  ■»«  l"  wo. 

*«»'  'Me  birt.  ,;„,  ™^'  ««  fat  a.„o.,  „„ 

•^  «««  .w.y  wiO.  i.    ZT.^""  "^  ""^  «»'7 
«  '"Men,  a.d  fe.  «y  ,, ,  .-•  .""^  ^"^  "«  *«w  it  .u  „, 

^«^: «« «...  i.  woT  ::i:r«:: ""  "^  '^-^■■ 

He  »i«ed  He  bee,  „f  „„„„.  "<*  ""^  ^^  iver  ,eed. 
^-M«tin  „..  „^  ^^  ^^  ^>^  into  Martin,' 
*»  '»g«.  o-  ii.  rf,„.    '"*'*  "^^  -  tie  «h„t  „i,e,  g^ 

'May  he'll.      .  ™°8»  lliat  I  =„,„  , 

^'""y  be  he  tidnks  thafll^  °°'  °'  "J'  ■»!■><», 

'■;-«.eii«taa,?/:^,7'"''"^'"°'f"^ 
f  "^  leg  «.e  h„[  a^."^*-^  '"■f  weliaigh  blowed 

J"'  «offed  iato  hi,  breecha, 


-T^v-rV-,-,,^. 


■•■!■'. 


808 


JOB  AND  THB  <^  NATTBB-LIST." 


pocket  Well,  soOn  after  we  shot 'a  baffido  bull,  so 
when  it  fell,  off  he  jumps  from  hi»  hone  an'  rans  up  io 
it.  So  did  I,  fpr  I  wasn't  sure  the  beast  was  dfad,  im' 
I  had  jist  got  u|>  when  it  rose  an'  rushed  at  tbe  Katter- 


list. 


Vi: 


**  *  Out  o'  the  |wft7,'  I  yelled,  for  my  rifl^Wp  empty ; 
but  he  didn't  n^ve,  so  I  rushed  forward^|||b'  ^rew  ;^e 
pistol  ow\  o'  his  belt  and  let  fly  in  the  bu^'s  ribs  jist 
as  it  ran  the  poor  man  down.  Martin  came  up  that 
moment  and  put  a  l^all  through  its  heart,  and  then  we 
went  to  pick  up  the  NatterJjst^  He  came  to  in  a 
little,  an'  the  first  thing  he  s^fj^was,  'Where's  my  re- 
volver ? '  When  I  gaVe  it  to  him  he  looked  at  it,  an' 
said  with  a  solemcholy  shake  o'  the  head,  '  There's  a 
whole  barrel  full  lost  I '  It  turned  out  that  he  had  taken 
to  usin'  the  barrels  for  bottles  to  hold  things  in,  <but  he 
forgot  to  draw  the  charges,  so  sure  enough  I  had  fired 
a  charge  o'  bum-bees,  an'  beetles,  an'  small  shot  into 
the  buffalo  1  _ 

*'  But  th&f  8  not  what  I  wos  goin'  to  tell  ye  yet  We 
corned  to  a  part  o'  the  plains  where  we  wos  wellnigh 
starved  for  want  o'  game,  an'  the  Natter-list  got  so  thin 
that  ye  could  a-most  see  through  him,  so  I  offered  to  kill 
my  horse,  an'  cut  it  up  for  meat;. but  you  niver  saw 
sich  a  face  he  made.  'I'd  rather  die  first,'  says  he, 
than  eat  it;'  so  we  didn't  kill  it  Bat  th^  very  day, 
Martin  got  a  shot  at  a  wild  horse  and  killed  it    The 


,ti*' 


K 


JOB  AND  TH«  "NATTEE-LIST." 


S09 


^^Hst  was  down  in  the  bed  o'  a  creek  at  ^e  tune 
gropm  for  creepers,  an'  he  didn't  see  it. 

«*  He'll  niver  eat  it,' says  Martin. 
"'That's  true,' says  I. 

•^    -Let's  tell  him  it'a  a  buffalo,' says  he. 

^t  would  be  tellin' a  lie,' says  I. 
^  2  we  stood  lookin'  at  each  other,  not  knowin'  what 

W!k^  *""  ^'  ''^''*''  '"^'^  ^^'  *^«'«  cut  it  up  and 
.;^the  .eat  into  ^p«.^^,,^^,^^^;^ 

J'Done,'  says  I,  ^that's  it;'  for  ye  n^ust  know  the 
ZZZ^'^V''''''^'^''    Hecouldu'ltu 
Jn  &ct  he  niver  a-most  spoke  to  us  aU  the  trip.    Well 
w.  c„  .      ehe  ho.e  and  carried  the  flesh  andl^^:  . 
bones  into  camp,  takin'  care  to  leave  the  hoofs  andTkl 
^u^d,  and  sot  to  work  and  ro.^^^ 

^W^  the  Natter^i  came  b^^^^^ 

.   '"^^*  ^^«  ^«  got  tere?'  cried  he,  rubbin'  hi« 
hands  and  sittin'  down.  ^  ^  ^ 


•A 


■'?■;' 


?ai:" 


810 


JOK  Ain>  TJIB  "  NATTEB-LIST." 


"  So  ho fell  to  wbrk  like  a  wolf.  I  ijivjpr  seed  a  man 
pitch  into  any  thiqg  like  as  that  Natter-list  did  into  that 
horse-flesh. 

,"*  These  are  flrst-nite  marrow  bones,'  says  he,  riquint- 
in*  with  one  eye  down  the  shin  bone  o'  the  hind  leg  to 
see  if  it  was  quite  empty.  * ' 

"  *Tes,  sir,  they  is,'  answered  Martin,  as  grave  as  .a 
judge. 

"  *  Take  another,  sir,'  says  I. 

♦*  "Nojlh^nkee,'  sa^s  he  with  a  sigh,  for  he  didn't  like 
to  leave  off.      '        , 

f*  « Well,  we  lived  fora  w^ek  on  horseflesh,  an' first- 
rate  livin'  it  W03 ;  thenwe  fell  in  with  buffalo,  an  mvet 
ran  diort  again  till  we  got  to  the  settlements,  when 
he  paid  us  our  money  an'  shook  hands,  sayin'  we'd  had 
a  nice  trip  an'  he  wished  us  well.  Jist  as  we.wos 
partiii'  I  said,  says  I, « D'ye  know  what  it  Was  we  Kved 
on  for  a  weekarter  we  was  weUnigh  star^  in  the 
prairies  ? '  t  ' 

**  *  What,'  says  he, '  when  we  got  yon  capital  marrow- 
bones ? '  . 

"'The  same,'  sftys  I;  'yon  yroa  horse  flesh,'  says  I, 
*an'  I  think  ye'll  surely  niver  say  again  that  it  isn't 
first-rate  livin!.'  t  * 

"  *  Yer  jokin','  sajrs  he,  tumin'  pale. 

" '  It's  true,  w,  as  true  as  yer  standin'  there.' 


i        .tf>    ^tjjt    1 


♦  «w 


,  as  grave  as  .a 


}r  he  didn't  like 


I  '^ 


AW  ALABM. 


Isn 


pened,  eh  ? "  ^ .f*^*       What  hfls  hap- 

"iHiuns  ooInin^  monsieu^,!  dere"  ^  J 
trapper,  pointing  down  the  vaUej     '''^'    H^^^^  « 

moi^nted  Indians   who  «n.      ~,«^«d  by  a  ^d  of 
«'«888.  ,»teaw,  tW  „^  !~;  "4°"  %«"  'ha- 


they 


thprnf  ,  .'  **™®  *«  fiiends  or  tbea.     w 

werefore  cavlAna^  ♦ki  i.      •  "  "^  /'°®8.     tfe 

'  Vithin  the 


•««  «de«d  .hi  Wa  and  «d«„  C, 
4 


;t-f: 


Brfv .  &4»i;>i  ^-^ ' 


V  \  ^r.v  "•-  v;  >  i..i T.^^taW.v^wj^i^B 


o> 


^■ 


t'^h 


,•'    "'V 


iftji. 


■-'tX' 


812  A  SUfiPBISE  AND  A  CAPTUtB.      > 

citadel  formed  of  the  goods  and  packs  of  furs  pUed 
upon  each  other,  which  point  of  retreat  was  to  be  de- 
fended to  the  last  extremity.  Then  galloping  to  the 
front  he  coUected  his  men  and  swept  down  the  Vidley 
at  full  speed.  In  a  few  minutes  they  were  near  enough 
to  observe  that  the  enemy  only  numbered  four  Indians, 
who  were  driving  a  band  of  about  a  hundred'  horses 
before  them,  and  so  busy  were  they  in  keeping  the  troop 
together  that  Cameron  and  his  men  were  dose  upon 
thefn  before  they  were  observed. 

It  was  too  late  to  escape.  Joe  Blunt  and  Henri  had 
already  swept  round  and  cut  off  their  retreat.  In  this 
extrem\{y  the  Indians  sHpped  from  the  backs  of  their 
steeds  and  darted  into  the  bushes,  where  they  were 
safe  from  pursuit,  at  least  on  horseback,  while  the  trap- 
pers  got  behind  the  horses,:  and  diwe  them  towards  the 
camp.  I 

^  At  this  moment  oqo  of  the  horses  sprang  ahead  of  the 
others  and  made  for  the  m6i;ntain,  with  its  mane  and 
tail  flying  wildly  in  the.  breeze. 

"BLirrow-bones  and  buttons  I  »*  shouted  one  of  the 
hmV*  there  goes  Dick  Varley's  horse." 
-     «Sp  it  ami"  cried  Henri,  and  dashed  off  in  pursuit, 
follow^  by  Joe  and  two  others. 
« Wb^  these  are  our  own  horses,"  said  Cameron  in 


surprise.  As  they  dmi 


from  which  ^ey  could  not  escape. 


i^of-thr^air 


K--.-/ 


Tliis  was  true  bat  v 

"^  >^  «™'to«l  r,  r?  "^ ''» «"«■•  --o' 

W  .»v^^  „  ™  .l:;:^"  '*"'  »'  «*>««  Who 
'»"  the;-  feu  h.  ,iu,  l^,  "»  "«"  «»,««,  evil 

"«  "-fa  l«Hi  «f  ttei,  ill 'Cl  "°"°*  """"  '^"■ 
«»"  ""o  the  ™„^  ,^  'T^:  «>•"  of  aem  ».„ 

•'^«.««a».4^rr""f««>p«»..»of     . 

•"".  1mo«  i«o  fte  c«,r     ^  *^>  •>  »e  S«y, 

^e«»i  haa,edi„ei.„__.    . 
■"^  of  Ke™  „a  hi  Z^^  " '^  ••  «»  »"t  in 

"  *«' « »«. teTrL""  t  "^  ""■»  -^  -•f 

S5^ 


V  .- 


8H  CHABLIE  BECOMES   OB8TBEPEBOU8.      v 


CHAPTER  XXIL 

CUrlie's  AdTsntures  with  Savages  and  Bears.  -  Trapping  life. 

It  is  one  thing  to  chase  a  horse ;  it  is  another  thing 
to  catch  it.  Little  consideration  and  less  sagacity  is  re- 
quired to  convince  us  of  the  truth  of  that  fact. 

The  reader  niay  perhaps  venture  to  think  this  rather 
a  triflmg  fact.  We  are  not  so  sure  of  that.  In  this 
world  of  fancies,  to  have  any  fact  incontestably  proved 
and  established  is  a  comfort,  and  whatever  is  a  source 
of  conrfort  to  mankind  is  worthy  of  notice.  Surely  our 
reader  won't  deny  that!  Perhaps. ie  wiU,  so  we  can 
only  console  ourself  with  the  remark  that  there  are  peo- 
ple in  this  world  who  would  d^ny  ttnjf  «A»ny— who 
would  deny  that  there  was  a  nose  on  their  face  if  you 
said  there  was  I 

Well,  to  return  to  the  point,  which  was  the  chase  of 
a  horse  in  the  abstract?  from  which  we  will  rapidly 
diverge  to  the  chase  of  Dick  Varley's  horse  in  particular. 
This  noble  charger,  having  been  ridden  by  savages  untU 
all  his  old  Are,  and  blood,  ^d  mfttal  ^ 


to  li  red  heat,  no  sooner  discovered  that  he  was  pur- 


::«S 


-Trapping  lifew 


; 


.♦ 


'*'»  0B481!. 


sxs 


•"'O  than  leg.,,  «« 

of  «»te„pt  i„  ^  !  „    "."«°»-  «"d  .  fling 

<«"'  «.en  heauMered  u^  l^"''""'  ™™  «f  W 
«"M  »peedi,^  La.e  left  ^L?!'^  "  "  ^  "W^i 
•■gl.t  behind  lf_„,  ,j.,r',*'"'"  "-i  Henri  „„,„f. 

»--an,.,„;:^-;^-H,ein,    ,,.„ 
^8el«./«,n,eau.gj^"°"™'  »«"  been  «,n,e- 

»»  I'd  »ol  mn  ..^igu  i.r'  "  ""^  "«»  toe- ./ 
"-■"Jld  b^  in.«=e^i^„  1    '  «°'«°  '"^<*  »"  »nr- 

■«»»««el7  ha^d  b.  ]L1  '^,;"»"'*.  "Wch  „« 
«"<*  «•»  mnaw^t.  '  ""^^  J""  advanced  to 

"It  W(M,'t  do,  Henri,"  said  Jn.     ^ 

o^  ^  ieaU^en.  coat,    ^ita^,  '^^-^  ^^^^  tbe  cafF 

-^OBt  browed  out  o'n.ebo^.'**^''^    ^^«  ^d's 
"I>at  am  vexatiabfe" 


"''^^mMeration. 


^i>^fed  Henri 


"  S'noflo  T  '  '°  *  tone  of 

^PoseJwosmakdtrv?" 


try?' 


>  .* 


wi!i:!yjij|i;!j 


■•       * 


,v^ 


816 


/ 


(jnAiaim  bubied  aliye. 


<' In  that  cas^Js'pose  ye  would  faU.  Bat  go  ahead 
an*  do  what  ye  can.    I'll  hold  yer  horse." 

So  Henri  began  by  a  rush  and  a  flourish  of  legs  and 
arms  that  nearly  frightened  the  horse  out  <>£  his  wits. 
For  half  an  hour  he  went  through  all  these  complications 
of  running  and  twisting  of  which  he  was  capable,  with- 
out success,  when  Joe  Blunt  suddenly  uttered  a  sten- 
torian yell  that  rooted  him  to  the  spot  on  which  ^e 
stood. 

To  account  for  this,  we  must  explain  that  in  the 
heights  of  the  iRocky  Mountains  vast  accumulations  of 
snow  take  place  among  the  crevices  and  gorges  during 
winter.  Such  of  these  masses  as  form  on  steep  slop^ 
are  loosened  by  occasional  thaws,  and  are  precipitated 
in  the  f<»rm  of  avalanches  into  the  valley  below,  carry- 
ing trees  and  stones  along  ,wlth  them  iof  their  thunder^ 
ing  descent  Xn  the  gloomy  gorge  where  Dick's  horse 
had  taken  refuge,  the  precipices  were  so  steep  that 
many  avalanches  had  occurred,  as  was  evident  from  the 
mounds  of  heaped  snow  thab^lay  at  the  foot  of  most  of 
them.  Neither  stones  nor  trees  were  carried  down  here, 
however,  for  the  diflb  were  nearly  perpendicular,  and^ 
the  snow  slipping  over  their  edges  had  fallen  on  the 
grass  below.  Such  an  avalanche  was  now  about  to  take 
place,  and  it  was  this  that  caused  Joe  to  utter  his  cry 
of  alarm  and  warning. 


.i* 


^>' 


BEmw  A  GBAVB-blGGEB.  gjy 

^  _^^        Of  rock,  fte  „a,e,  ,.  „„„  ^^^  _^^^^ 
•r«  cried  .gai„,  "bV  He,^,  t^  ^,„  • 

o^ll"'""  "°''  "'^'"'^  "■«  -Pi—oe  Of  .  « 
The  tostanl  He„ri  recoyered  .ufflcienar,  J«  .„^  .. 

«  P«v^i  '        surveyed  the  enow  hUl  with 

■WnwforpuiposesofhBOTO. 

paity  had  just  arriTed     tk-  ~ 

them  had  scanT!^'    ^«  »en  sent  out  in  Bea«h  ^ 

tLu.u  K    ...r^^      """""^  *  °^^  when  ih.y  f^„„^ 

But  all  a.eir  sorrows  were  put  to  flight  oa 

27* 


4. 


■".''£f?iii.fj^** 


:-MV  ." 


•.JS^i-'- 


J* 


.  ■'  / 


318 


THE  ^RESCUj:. 


hearing  of  the  curious  way  in  whiteh  die  hbrses  had 
^been  retumpll^to  them  with  iftt^rest.' 

Setecely  had  J^ck  Variey,  however,  congratulated 
himgplf  on  the  recoyerj^  of  his  gallant  -steed,-  when  he 
was  thrown  into  despa^*  fcy  the  sudden  arrival  of  ;Joe 
with  the  tidinm  of  the*  catastrophe  we  have  just  re- 
lated. 

Of  course  there  was  a  general  rush  to  the  rescue. 
Only  a  few  men  were  ordered  to  remain  to  guard  the 
^camp,  while  the  remainder  mounted  ^  their  horses  and 
'  galloped  towards  the  gorge  where  Chariie  had  been  ei^- 
tombed.      On    arriving,  they,  found  that  Bruin  had 
worked  with  sudh  laudable  zeal  that  nothing  but  the 
tip  of  his  tail  was  seen  sticking  out  of  the  hole  which 
he  had  dug.    The  hunters  could  not  refrain  from  laugh- 
fag  as^hey  sprang  to  the  ground,  'and  standing  in  a 
semicircle  in  front  of  the  hole,  prepared  to. fire.     But 
Crusoe  resolved  to  have  the  honor  of  leading  the  assault. 
He  seized  fast  hold  of  Bruin's  0ank,  and  caused  his 
teeth  to  meet  therein.     Caleb  backed  out  at  6nce  and 
turned  round,  but  before  he  could  recover  from  his  sur- 
prise a  dozen  bullets  pierced  his  heart  and  brain. 

"  Now,  lads,"  cried  Cameron,  setting  to  work  wiA  a* 
large  wooden  shovel,  "work  like  niggers.  If  there's 
toy  life  left  in  the  horse,  it'll  soon  be  smothered  out 
unless  we  set  him  free." 


"The  men  needed  no  urging,  however.  .  They  worked 


tjiia 


\ 


THE  BESCUE. 


819 


oX9 

■  ■    »»<'  aAri  hurled  »Us  ^^J""'  »  ^°°"«  a^^uK 

«■«  were  begiL.  t^'     ^  "^  '°  '"»  "^iaf.  «  the 
"racfedtheiratteL^         '^'^«'1'"  from  Henri  ^ 

of  »o.  ,„,„  wha.  apt?:'""™'  "™"«'"-e  waU 

head  and  ,h„„Ue„.    t  ,r"f  ^  «^»«"g  in  j,, 
.°»<i».  with  a  l«>k  of  ini!!"      ""  °"'  »  »  few  W 

•'Voaa.JoeBinnrfcr 
fat  you  wm  behold.",  \  '°' *°^  70"  shaU  see 

ahead,  lads."  '     '^T  ^"^«  ^ "  cried  Joe.    «  Qp 

.    ^^'"^"gr,  he  resumed  his  Lv.ir 
«»  a  few  Wnutes  the  hole  wit  *'  ''^'°'^^^^'  «°^ 
-enable  a^wm  toenW^S^T^^^^'^^^^rta- 
Charlie  close  beside  the  cliff  ,'T^  '"'""'^  *^^^  «^o^ 

"i^iookingassedateaidun- 


^  4 


820 


THE  BESCUK. 


concerned  ad  if  all  that  had  been  going  on  had  no  refer- 
ence to  him  whatever. 

The  cause  of  his  safety  was  simple  enough.  The 
precipice  beside  which  he  stood  when  the  avalanche  oc- 
curred overhung  its  base  at  that  point  considerably,  so 
that  when  the  snow  descended,  a  clear  space  of  several 
feet  wide  was  left  all  along  its  base.  Here  Charlie  had 
remained  in  perfect  comfort  until  his  friends  dug  him 

.■I'!  '  . 

out.  ' 

Congratulating  themselves  not  a  little  on  having  saved 
the  charger  and  bagged  a  grizzly  bear,  the  trappers  re- 
mounted, and  returned  to  the  camp. 

For  some  time  after  this  nothing  worthy  of  pwrticu- 
lar  note  occurred.  The  trapping  operations  went  on 
prosperously  and  without  interruption  from  the  Indians, 
who  seemed  to  have  left  the  locality  altogether.  Dur- 
ing this  period,  Dick,  and  Crusoe,  and  Charlie  had  many 
excursions  together,  and  the  silver  rifle  full  many  a  time 
sent  death  to  the  heart  of  bear,  and  elk,  and  buffalo, 
while,  indirectly,  it  sent  joy  to  the  heart  of  man^oman, 
and  child  in  camp,  in  the  shape  of  juicy  steaks  and  mar- 
row-bones. Joe  and  Henri  devoted  themselves  almost 
exclusively  to  trapping  beaver,  in  which  pursuit  they 
were  so  successftil  that  they  speedily  bec^e  wealthy 
men,  according  to  backwood  notions  of  wealth.    With 


{fie  beaver^«lhey^Qgtit,  they  pnrchasedfronrCam^ 
eron's  store  powder  and  shot  enough  for  a  long  hunting 


^^ , 


TRAPPING   LIFE. 


82} 


expedUibn  and  a  couple  of  spare  horses  to  carry  ih^ 
packs.  •  They  also  purchased  a  large  assorttnent  ^snch 
goods  told  trinkets  as  would  prove  acceptable  tb  Indians, 
and  supplied  themselves  with  new  blankets,  and  a  few 
pairs. of  strong  moccasins,  of  which  they  stood  much  in 
need. 

Thus  they  went  on  from -day  to  day,  until  symptoms 
o£  the  approach  of  wmter  warned  them  that  it  was  time 
to  return^  to  the  Mustang  Valley.  About  this  time  kn 
event  occurred  which,  totally  changed  the  aspect  of  af- 
feirs  in  these  remote  valleys  of  the  Kocky  Mountains, 
and  precipitated  the  departure  of  our  four  friends,  Dick, 
Joe,  Henri,  and  Crusoe.  This  was  the  sudden  arrival 
of  a  whole  tribe  of  Indians.  As  their  advent  was  some- 
what remarkable,  we  shall  devote  to  it  the  commence- 
ment of  a  new  chapter. 


\. 


'l-l'i^t^ii,    iifi'it    Xlud  \j^    -1 


MYSTERIOUS   SOUNDS. 


CHAPTER  XXni. 

Savage  Sports-  — Living  Cataracts.— An  Alarm.— Indians  and  their 
Doings.  — The  Stampedo.  —  Charlie  again. 

One  day  Dick  Varley  was  out  on  %  solitary  hunting 
expedition  'near  the  r^cky  gorge,  where  his  horse  had 
received  temporary  burial  a  week  or  two  before.  Cru- 
soe was  with  him,  of  course.  Dick  had  tied  Charlie  to 
a  tree,  and  was  sunning  himself  on  the  edge  of  a  cliff, 
from  the  top  of  which  he  had  a  fine  view  of  the  valley 
and  the  rugged  precipices  that  hemmed  it  in. 

Just  in  front  of  the  spot  on  which  he  sat,  the  preci- 
pices on  the  opposite  side  of  the  gorge  rose  to  a  consid- 
erable height  abovtf  hiffl,  so  that  their  ragged  outlines 
were  drawn  sharply  across  the  clear  sky.  Dick  was 
gazing  in  dreaniy  silence  at  the  jutting  rocks  anidark 
caverns,  and  speculating  on  the  probable  number  of 
bears  that  dwelt  there,  when  a  slight  degree  of  restless- 
ness on  the  part  of  Crusoe  attracted  him. 

"What  i8't,pup?"  said  he,  laying  his  hand  on  the 
deg^fl^ead  bacL, 


Crusoe  looked  the  answer,  "  I  don't  know,  Dick,  but 


,  MYSTERIOUS  SOUNDS.  828 

h',',<mething,  you  may  depend  upon  it,  else  I-  would 
not  have  distqrbed  you." 

Dick  lifted  his  rifle  from  the  ground,  and  laid  it  in 
the  holfow  of  his  left  arm. 

"There  must  be  something  in  the.  wind,"  remarked 
Dick. 

As  wind  is  known  to  be  composed  of  two  distinct 
gases,  Crusoe  felt  perfectly  safe  in  replying  "Yes,"  with 
his  tail.  Immediately  after  be  added,  <;*  HaUo !  did  you 
hear  that  ?  »  -^ith  his  ears. 

Dick  did  heS  it,  and  sprang  hastily  to  his  feet,  as  a 
sound  like,  yet  unlike,  distant  thunder  came  faintly  down 
upon  the  breeze.  In  a  few  seconds  the  sound  increased 
to  a  roar  in  which  was  mingled  the  wild  cries  of  men 
Neither  Dick  nor  Crusoe  moved,  for  the  sounds  came 
from  behind  the  heights  in  front  of  them,  and  they  felt 
that  the  only  way  to  solve  the  quesUon,  «  What  can  the 
sounds  be  ?  "  was  to  Wait  tiU  the  sounds  should  solve  it 
themselves. 

Suddenly  the  muffled  sounds  gave  place  to  the  dis- 
tinct  bellowing  of  cattle,  the  clatter  of  innumemble  hoofs, 
and  the  yeUs  df  savage  men,  while  at  the  same  moment 
the  edges  of  the  opposite  cliffs  became  aUve  with  Indians 
and  buffaloes  rushing  about  in  frantic  haste -the 
former  almost  mad  with  sftVage  excitement,  the  latter 
nrWK  t>iin^  rage- and  tefrra". 


jrror.  "  ■ 

Jdge  of  the  dizzy  precipice7*the  " 

i 

' 

' '  '^^p 


-■# 


-^'i 


824 


SAVAQE  DOINOB. 


buffaloes  turned  abruptly  and  tossed  their  ponderous 
heads  as  they  coursed  along  the  edge.  Yet  a  few  of 
them,  unalSle.to  check  their  hiSadlong  course,  fell  over, 
and  were  dashed  to  pieces  <m  the  rocks  below.  Such 
falls,  Dick  observed,  were  hailed\with  shouts  of  delight 
by  the  Indians,  whose  sole  object  evidently  was,  to 
enjoy  the  sport  of  driving  the  terrified  animals  over  the 
precipice.  The  wily  savages  had  chosi^n  their  ground 
well  for  this  purpose. . 

The  cliff  immediat^y  opposite  to  Dick  Varlpy  was 
a  huge  projection  from  the  precipice  that  hemmed  in 
the  gorge,  or  species  of  cape  or  promontory  several 
hundred  yards  wide  at  the  base,  and  narrowing 
abruptly  to  a  point.  The  sides  of  this  wedge-shaped 
projection  were  quite  perpendicular;  indeed,  in' tome 
places  the  top  overhung  the  base,  and  they  were  at 
least  three  hundred  feet  hJgh.  Broken  and  jagged 
rocks,  of  that  peculiarly  chaotic  character  which  pro- 
bably suggested  the  name  to  this  part  of  the  great 
American  chain,  projected  from,  and  were  scattered  all 
round  the  cli£&.  Over  these  the  Indians,  whose  num- 
bers increased  every  moment,  strove  to  dri^e  the  luck- 
less herd  of  buffidoes  that  had  chanced  to  fall  in  their 
way.  The  task  was  easy.  The  unsuspecting  animals, 
of  which  there  were  hundreds,  rushed  in  a  dense  mass 
npon  the  cape  referred  to.    On  they  came  with  irre- 


sistible  impetuosity,  bellowing   furiously,  while   their 


i 


''»,-*. 


i'-Z'^GR^'^' 


% 


«  A  LIVIKO  CATARACT.  825 

l«»6  th-nde^  „„  u,e  tarf  wl.h  fe  muffled  oooa„„„„ 
-e™whae,„^„,,,e.„o,,ai<,eo„,,eU„dtau: 

of  IT  """""^^""^  «'°'«  """■"""g  «.«dly  ,„  fte  edge 
1  LT"™-    "°"  ""y 'topped  .h».,„dga.^ 

P-hed  them  over.  <Do™  ,hey  came,  .l„„,„,ely  .  li,.  ' 
2«.Um«,„po„«,e™ok,bel«w.    Some  »ta.ok  ontte 

*»W  ataost  i„  piece^whiie  .heir  blood  spurted  o« 
.»  Aowe,.  Ofters  leaped  f«.m  ^  ,„  !U  wij 
awful  bounds  ^„,  .^.^   ^^.^ 

«^tenug  .uaM  ,ha.  la,  »haae«d  at  tteb.ee  of  .ho 

Dick  V.rlqr.„d  hia  dog  .^n^ned  r«,WI  ^  .he  r«*, 
^  they  gazed  a.  the  dckeniog  sigh.,  ae  if  pe.rfflel 
W  fifty  of  «...  uohl,  herd  of  hufflUoea  esea^^ 

I"""  "f  '^  ™thle8»  pursuer,,  m^  ^^ 
^  of  U.i,  .eudeuey  of  U.e  Indiaus.  whej^ 
-ere  very  r,um««,s,  u>  drive  Aem  Over  predpiees  in 

■   ""'"  "";  and  lh»  sigh.  hlled-hfa^„r,Kh  tenor 

»:-"««  until  tte  din..„d  .unBil.  of  tte  perishing 


?,_-.- 


% 


'V^ 


'A 


-■^-^'   -?';i^ 


Wi 


THE  ALARIC 


herd  and  the  shrill  yells  of  the  Indians  had  almost  died 
away  that  he  tnmed  to  quit  the  spot.  •  But  the  instant 
he  did  so  another  shout  was  raised.  The  savages  had 
observed  him,  and  were  seen  galloping  along  the  cliffs 
towards  the  head  of  the  gorge,  with  the  obvious  intent 
tion  of  gaining  the  other  side  and  capturing  him.  Dick 
sprang  on  Charlie's  back,  and  the  next  instant  was  fly- 
ing down  the  valley  towards  the'caitap. 
V  "He  did  not,  however,  fear  being  overtaken,  for  the 
gorge  could  not  be  crossed,  and  the  way  round  the  head 
of  it  was  long  and  rugged ;  but  he  was  anxious  to  alarm 
the  camp  as  quickly  as  possible,  so  that^they  might  have 
time  to  call  in  the  more  distant  trappers  and  make  prepa- 
rations for  defence.  ■  I,  ' 

"Where  away  now,  yoimgste'r,"  ipquired  Cameron, 
emerging  from  his  tent  a^!^j^,  taking  the  brook  that 
flowed  in  front  at  a  fljjing  %ap,  came  crashing  through 
the  bushes  into  the  n|^t  of  the  fur-packs  at  full  speed. 

« Injuns  1 "  ejacukUed  Dick,  reining  up,  and  vaulting 


out  of  the  saddJbgu 
nate  every  oneJ  " 


"  Hundreds  of  'em.    Fiends  incar- 


"Aretheii^^ear?" 


""M  Yes;  an  hour  '11  bring  them  down  on  us.    Are  Joe 
and  Henri  &r  from  camp  to-day  ?  " 

"At  l!to-mile  Creek,"  replied  Cameron  with  an  ex- 
frwgioa^ol^bitterneaflyiM-he^^emg^^^-hia.gun^jmA^ 
shouted  to  several  men,  who  hurried  up  on  seeing  our 
hero's  burst  into  camp. 


.■J^«.-'- 


't^'' 


^  ^ 


■■w^' 


'^^  ALAXH. 


827 


"»'  -elaoo.  had  he  been  „  JC^J^X'  """"' 
«^o«„lon     Xhe,edho„^ehe<X:™"C 

"■oment  hi,  friend  gaUoped  up.  *      ^^  "'  *'     . 

■No  word  was  enokpn     t«  *•«.     « 
""«,  Joe  B,„n.  had  caS*  ^l^T*^  "^ 


■     ^fae  mustang  seemed  to  feel  that  unwont^ 


/I 


828 


THE  OAHP. 


ez^ertions  were  required  of  him.  Double  weighted 
though  he  was^  he  kept  well  up  with  the  other  horse, 
and  in  less  than  two  hourf  after  Dick's  leaving  the  camp 
the  three  hunters  came  in  dght  of  it. 

Meanwhile  Cameron  had  collected  nearly  all  his 
forces,  and  put  his  camp  in  a  state  of  defence  before  the 
Ijidiatis  arrived,  which  they  did  suddenly,*  and,  as  usual, 
at  full  gallop,  to  the  amount  of  at  least  two  hundred. 
They  did  not  at  first  seem  disposed  to  hold  friendly 
intercourse  with  the  trappers,  but  assembled  in  a  semi- 
drde  rotmd  the  camp  in  a  menacing  attitude,  while  one 
of  their  chiefs  stepped  forward  to  hold  a  palaver.  For 
some  time  the  conversation  on  both  sides  was  polite 
enough,  but  by  degrees  the  Indian  chief  assumed  an 

5rious  tone,  and  demanded  gifts  fix>m  the  trappers, 
ig  care  to  enforce  his  request  by  hinting  that  thou- 
sands of  his  countrymen  were  not  far  distant.  Cameron 
stoullyjiefused,  and  the  palaver  threatened  to  come  to 
an  abrupt  and  unpleasant  terminaticm  just  at  the  time 
that  Dick  and  his  friends  appeared  on  the  scene  of  ac- 
tion. - 

The  brook  was  cleared  at  a  bound ;  the  three  hunters 
leaped  from  their  steeds  and  sprang  to  the  front  with  a 
degree  of  energy' that  had,  a  tisible  effect  on  the  sav- 
ages, and  Cameron,  seizing  the  moment,  propojped  that 
the  two  pftfUe»  sheold^^iiRi^  s  jHpe  ftBd^-h^dA-eeon^ 
ciL    The  Indians  agreed,  and  in  a  few  minutes  they 


.,iii-' 


"tf  ^ 


^HTAL  OF  THE  WDIANS. 


829 

«ia»r  aide  we«  itf.  J^  **«  "•"■pltoente  paid  on 

^■di*™  «  present  of  JiT  ""™'  ""^o  «"» 

-'  aem  C^  ;it^7  ""^  «  <•-  "take..,  «.d 

Pl.^r.:^r:3;fr --■•-"»  vane,., 
o»P  of  the  w^R    tr     °  '■'""  "PP*"-  to  the 

^— „.  e„s!r»d  ^"iT  '^  «^-« 

"»'  le  proeeeded  .„    ,       \  ""^  "°»'«^ 

-oh  a,  ':^Z  7X^  ■*  '°"«^«-  " 
wodd  admit  ^  ""  """^  "f  "»  pound 

•"  ■"'i'iod  into  th^  r«     .    ^   ««"I«ril7,«nd 

j;<».«..po«dofX^th:";:rr"' 

Nation  at  that  tim-      u  ^®  ^'^^^  Snake 

are-ree-kas   or  fi.»,T  ^og^tew;  the  War- 

J-Am  on  the  wesfw!  ^^t  »         ^  "^  '"""^'^ 

J-'  *«-.  weU,  .ere  S^l^::t!^°^^^ 

lived  ehiea,  by  (hhin,  TT  '"  ''^"•^re-ree-kai 

'^*"""*.'^  ""Oft"-!  on  the  bank, 


.-• 


M'.f,:~ 


^^ ," 


vJ^^ 


d8< 


i 


Indians  of  the  ^ntsT. 


of  the  rivers  andr  lakes  throughout  the  country.  Thev 
were  more  corpulent,  slovenly,  and  indolent  than  the 
Shirry-dikas,  and  more  peaceful.  The  Banattees,  as 
we  have  before  ipentioned,  were  the  robbers  of  the 
mountains.  They  Were  a  wild  and  contemptible  race, 
and  at  enmity  with  every  one.  In  summer  they  went 
about  nearly  naked.*  Ii^  winter  they  clothed  themselves 
in  the  skins  of  rabbits  and  wolves.  Being  excellent 
mimics,  they  cbu]«i  ijhi^ie  the  howling  of  wolves,  the 
neighing  of  horses,  and  the  cries  of  birds,  by  whicb 
means  they  kjould  approach  travellers,  rob  them,  and 
then  fly  to  their  rocky  fastnesses  in  the  nfountains,  where 
pursuit  was. vain. 

Such  we«  the  men  who  now  assembled  in  front  of 
thp  camp  of  the  fur-traders,  and  Cameron  soon  found 
that  the  news  of  his  presence  in  the  country  had  spread 
far  and  wide  among  the  natives,  bringing  them  to  the 
neighborhood  of  his  camp  in  immense  crowds,  so  that, 
during  the  next  few  days,  their  numbers  increased  to 
thousands.  • 

Several  long  palavers  quickly  ensued  between  the 
red  men  and  the  white,  and  the  two  great  chiefs  wha 
seemed  to  hold  despotic  rule  over  the  assembled  tribes 
were  extremely  favorable  to  the  idea  of  ^^niveraal 
peace  which  was  propounded  to  them.  In  sevkal  set 
i!pflBnhejj..of  great  length  and,  very  considerable  peweiy^ 


these  natural  orators  explained  (heir  willingness  to  enter 


#■»• 


jV 


1     ^ 


comrciLs  and  oeahons.  831 

into  amicable  relations  wi^h  oiwu 

"Jih'^t ',„r  f ''^^'■"^  *•  '^  "l  the  Shirr,! 
»«^  ■•  man  above  si,  fee,  ti-t        .        .    ""^ 

■»iw»Ur  strength,  _"b„tm,,  f  "°°"^° 

--  ^/^o:!;Crer/ir  ""-''''•■-»- 

when  tliis  was  said  ■  ana  if  ,h     ^T  ^  "'°'"=" 

'^'^  ««.e.  for':^Zl^  "T  "  -»'<•  "- 

toand^btte  „nwa,y.  *'"°  *""  °™ '■»^'»  to  «.„.. ' 

The  second  chief  ilJH  ««*       •  '' 

-«  he«.id  cm        "-o-^withPee^y*. 

w««M  oonsen.  u>  i,  Sure! ."-"'"  °'  '^  «- 

Upon  this  Joe  Blnnt  rose  and  said  "  Tl. ' 
<«ftheW«.^^i^i,, J"™"'    ^''«««"':'*i«f 

—ot  he  reconciled  JeldZ^  '°''^'  ""'  ™«™« 
Preposab  olfpeaee.     #^^  "'''"'"""«  «™t  to  n,.ke 


^  young  men  have  been 

J^- scalps  are  now  fringes  to  the  legging. 


7.. 


■Blttdrfeetr 

•gain,  and  uie,;  r.™'  """  "'"  '«"  "^t  <"«.  «d 


?         ■  «S; 


»^5.V.       ,,,. 


>t 


833 


O^prOHLS  AND  OSAtlONS. 


ay 


of  tlidr  enemies.   The  War^are-ree^kas  do  not  cross  the 
motu^ins  but  for  the  purpose  of  making  war. 

<*The  chief  speaks  truth,"  returned  Joe,  "yet  ^ere 
are  three  men  round  the  council  fire  wh(Htnll  go  to^  the 
Blackfeet  and  the  Feigans  with  messages  of  peace  frdm 
the  Snakes  if  they  wish  it." 

Joe  pointed  to  himself,  Henri,  and  Dick  as  he  spoke, 
and  added,  "  We  three  do  not  belong  to  the  camp  of  the 
fur-traders;  we  only  lodge  with  them  for  a  time.  The 
Great  Chief  of  the  white  men  has  sent  us  to  make  peace 
with  the  reef  men,  and  to  tell  them  that  he  desires  to 
trade  with  them  —  to  exchange  hatdiiets,  and  guns,  and 
blankets  for  furs. 

This  declaration  interested  the  two  chiefe  greatly!^  and 
after,  a  good  deal  of  discussion  they  agreed  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  Joe  Blunt's  offer,  and  appoint  him  as  a  dep- 
uty to  the  court  of  their  enemies.  Having  arranged 
these  matters  to  their  satisfaction,  Cameron  bestowed  a 
red  flag  and  a  blue  surtout  with  brass  buttons  on  each 
of  the  chiefs,  and  a  variety  of  smaller  articles  on  the 
other  members  of  the  council,  and  sent  them  away  in  a 
particularly  amiable  frame  of  mind. 
;  Fee-eye-em  burst  the  blue  surtout  at  the  shoulders 
and  elbows  in  putting  it  on,  as  it  was  much  too  small 
for  his  gigantic  frame,  but,  never  having  seen  such  an 

DAtural  and  proper  consequences  of  putting  it  on,  or  was* 


tiousljr  cut  off  the  SZT^         '•'""'"  ^^Pti- 
into  her  bosom.  f  ^"**^"  «°^  ^^^  "'em 

By  the  time  the  co«n<k  closed  the  nieht  wa«  / 
advanced,  and  a  bright  ^L  ^    ^'^  ^^ 

«>ft  '-got  over  aeX  T  ""  *'^*'«  "  ««^  "f 
if  r»  u,  .peak  fo  u.e  ffi,'       .7^  *"  ■*  **'  ""^ 


1  need  to  know  what  tt  say."  ''***^' ^oun^ 

"Pl0ase  yourself,  Ma8terrBJdnL»dn.*  , 

,  -I  like  y„„  o,.p.„,  ^  C^.TT^,^"^- 

suppose  you  wUI  go  also?"  ih«  o^//  **«  ««  ^  can.    J 
Varlev   »i,  added,  turning  to  Dick 

varley,  who  was  still  seated  beside  tu  i 

o^aaing  Crusoe.  |  ^  ^''^  *^«"  ^ 

*  ^  Wherever  Joe  fines  Tni»> 
Crusoe's  f«n  ^'   ""''^'^  ^»«k- 

''And  your  friend  Henri  ?V 

^-Ains  Should  see  the  thr^  o'  us^fT^  "^ 

tteeastsideo'themountains,    Ho?H^"^^*^«>' 
Ud."  "<**  fienn,  come  here, 


n 


i  ' 


834 


COUNCILS  AND  OBATIONfl- 


«» 


Henri  obeyed,  and  in  a  few  seconds  the  thr^  friends 
crossed  the  brool^  to  the  Indian  camp,  and  were  guided 
to  the  principal  lodge  by  Pee-eye-ein.  Pere  a  great 
council  was  held,  and  the  proposed  attempt  at  negotia- 
tions for  peace  with  their  ancient  enemies  fully  dis- 
cussed. While  they  were  thus  engaged,  and  just  as 
Fee-eye-em  had,  in  the  energy  of  an  enthusiastic  pero- 
ration burst  the  blue  surtout  cUmost  up  to  the  collar,  a 
distant  rushing  soutvdjtras  heard,  which  caused  every 
man  to  spring  to  his  feet,  run  out  of  the  tent,  and  seize 
his  weaponli. 

"What  can,4t  T)e,  Joe?"  whispered  Dick,  as  they 
stood  at  the  tent  door  leaning  on  tjieir  rifles,  and  listen- 
ing intently.  •  -,  -         . 

"  Dun  'no,"  answered  Joe,  shortly. 

Most  of  the  numerous  fires  of  th^  camp  had  gone  out, 
but  the  bright  moon  revealed  the  dusky  forms  of  thou- 
sands of  Indians,  whom  the  unwonted  sound  had  star- 
tled, moving  rapidly  about.  f : 

The  mystery  was  soon  explained.  The  Indian  camp 
was  pitched  on  an  open  plain  of  several  miles  in  extent, 
which  took  a  sudden  bend  half  a  mile  distant,  where  a 
spur  of  the  mountains  shut  out  the  further  end  of  the 
valley  from  view.  From  beyond  this  point  the  dull 
rumbling  sound  proceeded.  Suddenly  there  was  a  roar 
-as  if  A  migh^  ^iataiact  had 
Bcene.    At  the  same  moment  a  countless  herd  of  wild 


hones  ct 
and  swej 
camp. 

«Asta 
of  Pee-^' 

m 

near  the  t 

On  thej 

of  a  thous 

of  huDdr» 

^dians,  as 

excitement 

to  the  grou 

uncontroUal 

horses  that 

ous  violence 

As  the  z 

began  to  sc 

rush  of  the 

became  ung( 

and  hobbles, 

conAisifHi  At  1 

and  .threw  th 

with  terror,  \ 

of  their  own 

and,  with  a  » 

4h>tfer^an  m 


i; 


\  ! 


Tin  8TAWEDO.  jjj 

and  swept  over  0..  nil-      .         °"°  "^  ""e  mountain 
OMnp.  "  ""^  "«^'"  '°™«i»  the  Indian 

of  "pC^"  '1^7°^  '''^«'°«  "o  «■«  "-^-00 
oearuJIT     ^  '""'"^  """^  ™«  P'-^eted 

lndi«„,  „  ,J' ^  "  f  "™P'  "-I  ao  Telling  „f 

'""'oeyTauilyendeeTOredtorestniin.i,.    •• 
«e.ten,en,of  fteirsteeds.    Henrinnd  K^!  ^         * 

tees  a^  tore  down  npon  fte  cn-p  „UhTe7    t" 
»"»  violence  of  «  n,igh,y  «^,°™''  "'"','^'  '™"""- 

As  tlie  maddened  troop  drew  mVl.  .i, 
•*«»»  «o  snort  and  tremL      ■     ^       °°°'''  '""^ 
"*  of  the  wild^l^t!  73''  ""  '""°  «■<■ 

«a  hohhlT^Ti^riijir rr "''"' 

»f -^  ""^ -hen,  a  .OoLtld  It"*" 
and  threw  th«  wIiM^  • .         i'**^^"  ®ver  the  moon 

of  their  owL^  fl  t  ?      ^  '^"^  ^y  *«  <«« 

-^withZr^r^rit!"''"* '-'"-»  on, 

^fa  »  ■ni^-^^^^^-'^^  't.nde. 


«>^wmw« downed  the  ,eU  of  dog  and I^ 


f 


I  .UiS<<» 


K7..^ 


^K 


836 


THE  STAUPEDO. 


they  burst  upon  the  camp,  trampling  ovier  packs  and 
skins,  and  dried  meat,  4&c.,  in  their  headlong  speed,  and 
overturning  several  of  the  smaller  tents.  In  another 
moment  (hey  swept  out  upon  the  plain  beyond,  and  were 
soon  lost  in  the  ^urkness  of  the  night,  while  the  yelp-^ 
ing  of  dogs,  as  they  vainly  pursued  them,  mingled  and 
gradually  died  away  with  the  distant  thunder  of  their 
retreat.  ' 

This  was  a  "stampedo"  one  of  the  most  extraordi- 
nary scenes  that  can  be  witnessed  in  the  western  wilder- 
ness.       , ' 

"  Lend  a  hand,  Henri,"  shouted  Joe,  who  was  strug- 
gling^with  a  powerful  horse.  "  Wot's  corned  over  yer 
brains,  man?  This  brute'll  git  off  if  ye  don't  look 
sharp." 

Dick  and  Henri  both  answered  to  the  summons,  and 
they  succeeded  in  throwing  the  struggling  animal  on  its 
side  aqd  holding  it  down  until  its  excitement  was  some- 
what abated.  Pee-eye-em  had  also  been  successful  in 
securing  his  favorite  hunter,  but  nearly  every  other 
horse  belonging  to  the  camp  had  broken  loose  and 
joined  the  whirlwind  gallop,  but  they  gradually  dropped 
out,  and,  before  morning,  the  most  of  them  were  secured 
by  their  owners.  As  there  ^jrere  at  least  two  thousand 
horses  and  an  equal  number  of  dogs  in  the  part  of  the 
JndiOT  mmpi  which  had  been  thus  oyer-nin  by  the^wild 


ig  over  packa  and 
leadlong  speed,  and 
tents.  In  another 
a  beyond,  and  were 
bt,  while  the  yelp-" 
them,  mingled  and 
it  thunder  of  their 

h&  most  extraordi- 
the  western  wilder- 

oe,  who  was  Strug- 
's corned  over  yer 
r  if  ye  don't  look 

the  summons,  and 
yling  animal  on  its  |j 
itement  was  some- 
been  successful  in 
early  every  other 
broken  loose  and 
gradually  dropped 
them  were  secured 
east  two  thousand 
in  the  part  of  the 
er4UQ4 


THE  STAHPTOE  OB  WILD  HOMES. 


^i 


it  .^^^^ 


'l  4 


~r 


V 


■"  -^^i/^j^*.,  ^'^■»K-ii,"-v*.mTWV',f  'i"':T?i'-^'^ei<''''r^'''*Tt-^'^'*5i 


■  ^ 


,-<«-. 


*    , 


/I 


#- 


\' 


%4    :' 


I      1 


',W--'-''ife^^¥''>-      t 


'W' 


OailttBAOAW.  jjj 

iew  U.e«  which  be.,  „i,h  .  *  J^^"^"  """ 
"elhigk  b«„i  it  This  „«  ,h<,  hSiS"  '^' 
torse,  CSharlie.    TWdi  i.„„  ^^k9P^'«7'« 

rambling  sound  that  ao.M  ™  .v '  ^^^  ''"'"' 

by.  lad  5,  shrill  neigh  1,,         ^'  "^  ^«  e°°« 
•be  l»ni«trick«,  t^V     "  ^  ^"'^  "^  '«* 

•  «-^<«'«.e«:t::e:::iT::jT'^'-»- 

quarterof  amileof  nl.!„  •  ,  »  »e«  <^  bosbes  and 

»<i  .be  ma.K^,:r""' '"'""''  '^"  -P 
-olronblem  ZZ^Z^'^X'^'^  "^  « 
Omrlie.     At  the  v  J  »*  «•,  bowe«r.  with 

-bo  bdd  i^  b„«  thrift:  tr.  ^  '^''  °"*' 
•b*' bad  been  thrown^^^"  '»™"'f  <•«»•*  .ree. 


»<^  wia^.  wild  ia»ion,  neigb, 


m 


< 


/; 


^ 


tesiimed 


.'sl^-*"^^  ;*:..£ 


.'■''  / 


^3i   M 


Vf 


»t"'"  #■"  T*''^T  If  iTU'-tT-'-  i^V*  -^-S^t  ?*-^^  tf  '  t   ', 


S88. 


CBUSO£  CAPTUBBS  CHABLIE. 


-iS» 


his  old  place  in  the  ranks  of  the  free-boro  aaustangs  of 

thg  prairie.  '  ,       . 

Little  did  Dick  fliink,  when  the  flood  of"  horses  swept 
past  him,  that  his  own  good  steed  Was  there,  rejoicing 
in  his  recovered  Jiberty.  But  Crusoexknew  it.  Ay, 
the  wind  had  borne  down  the  information  to  his  acute 
nose  before  the  Uving  storm  burst  upon  the  camp,  and 
when  CharUe  rushed  past  with  the  long  tough  halter 
trailing  at  his  h^els,  Crusoe  sprang  to  his  side,  seized 
the  end  of ,  the  halter  with  his  teeth,  and  galloped  off 

along  with  him. 

It  was  a  long  gallop  and  a  tough  one,  but  Crusoe  held 
on,  for  it  was  a  settled  principle  in  his  mind  never  to  give 
in.  At  first  the  check  upon  CharUe's  speed  was  imper- 
ceptible, but  by  degrees  the  weight  of  the  gigantic  dog 
began  to  tell,  and,  after  a  time,  they  feU  a  little  to  the 
rear;  then,  by  good  fortune,  the  troop  passed  through 
a  mass  of  underwood,  and  the  line,  getting  entangled, 
brought  their  mad  career  forcibly  to  a  close ;  th?  mus- 
tangs passed  on,  ^d  *e  twotriends  were  left  uJ  keep 
each  other  company  in  the  dark. 

'  How  long  they  would  have  remained  thus  is«ncer- 
tain,  for  neither  of  them  had  sagacity  enough  to  undo  a 
comi#cated  entanglement;  fortunately,  however, >i  his 
energetic  tugs  at  the  line,  Crusoe's  sharp  teeth  partiaUy 

t    aUU  V   UAA    ■■***-*    ■•■■■  ■*    '-'»     -ur-iiTTi 


; 


«» 


% 


i: 


;,-5>M  i- 


CHABLIE  BROUGHT  IN.  335 

caused  it  to  part.    Befo~  i,«      i^ 

Hallo,  pup!  „|,^„  jj^ 
Wng  Um  here?,  exclaimed  Di^  ^"  ':"  " 

"He  must  ha'  broke  loose  and  iined  th.    .         . 
'emarked  Joe  o^r^-  «         "^         "*®  stampedo," 

^  '^oe,  coming  out  of  the  chief's  tent  ^t  f  1, 
ment ;  "  bttt  tie  him  ud  D.Vt      ^  ^®  "'°- 

e«l  and  pe.ee  with  «.e  Bla^C^     '^ ""  '^°- 


.;/ 


-'  ^^'fj^-*'n 


840 


INDIAN  DOINGS. 


» 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 


Plans  and  Prospects.  —  Dick. becomes  Homensick,  and  Henri  Meta- 
physical. —  The  Indians  attack  the  Camp.  —  A  Blow-up. 

On  the  following  day  the  Indians  gave  themselves  up 
*  to  unlimited  feasting,  in  consequence  of  the  arrival  of  a 
large  body  of  hunters  with  an  immense  supply  of  buf- 
falo meat.  It  was  a  regular  day  of  rejoicing.  Upwards 
of  six  hundred  buffaloes  had  been  killed,  and  as  the  sup- 
ply of  meat  before  their  arrival  had  been  ample,  the 
camp  was  now  overflowing  with  plenty.  Feasts  were 
given  by  the  chiefs,  and  the  medicine-men  went  about 
the  camp  uttering  loud  cries,  which  were  meant  to  ex- 
press their  gratitude  to  the  Great  Spirit  for  the  bounti- 
ful supply  of  food.  They  also  carried  a  portion  of  meat 
to  the  aged  and  infirm  who  were  unable  to  hunt  for 
themselves,  and  had  no  young  men  in  their  family  circle 
'^   to  hunt  for  tbem. 

This  arrival  of  the  hunters  was  a  fortunate  circum- 
stance, asit  put  the  Indians  in  great  good  humor,  and 
inclined  them  to  hold  friendly  intercourse  with  the  trap- 


■pera,wn6lof  8omertia)i#  coBtiiraedto^WreT brisk  truSe" 
in  furs.    Having  no  market  for  the  disposal  of  their  fiirs, 


PLANS  AND  PB08PECTS.  34^ 

the  I^  acoune  had  ™„  a„  a,     ^^  ' 

«».  ae  .«ppe„  hid  „,-de  a.eir  hap,  fo  .  aJl" 
devoted  Ihemelves  to  tmffle.  «  ™>e  and 

M^wMe  Joe  Bluot  and  hi.  ftienda  n>ado  prenar, 
tions  for  their  return  jomiey.  «P«pa™- 

"  Te  see,"  remarked  Joe  to  rfen'ri  and  Diek  a,  a^ 

TXT "":  "'^^-^'^  's'^'  -^^  - 

potfiU  of  gra^hopper  aonp,  „hi<|  a,,  great  ehieTe 
squaw  m  j„,t  placed  before  them,_"«Tee  '  7  ? 

U,e  «»e  of  ta  teeth  in  order  to  exerciae  hia  tongue,- 

ial   Joe,  but  it  don't  Uke  nu.'     What;  gi^o  ud  a 

tater.  lifo  and  become  a  ram.erP    X  JJ:  :^' 

«Bonl"  gaeuUted  Henri,  but  ;he,ber  the  remark 
W  referenoe  to  the  g™.ahopper  soup  or  U.e  semimen. 
we  cannot  telL  • 

«WdI,»  continued  Joe,  commencing  to  deyour  , 
large  hu&lo  steak  with  a  hunter's  appeUte,  «y,'u 
Ple^  yom^elves,  lads, »,  to  that  ■■  but  ..  T  „^  Z.^ 


* 


# 


-«v.g«. powerful  lot o'ftrs,  ^^al^  packT^ 
•nd  ends  for  the  Injuns  we  chance  to  meet  with  by  the 

20* 


^■*^'%  ■ 


'  '\   . 


842 


-PLAKS  AND  PROSPECTS. 


\P 


way,  an'  powder  and  lead  to  last  us  a  twelvemontii,  be- 
sides five  good  horses  to  cany  us  an'  our  p^cks  over  the 
plains ;  so  if  it's  agreeable  to  you,  I  mean  to  make  a 
bee-line  for  the  Mustang  Valley.  We're  pretty  sure  to 
meet  with  Blackfeet  on  the  way,  and  if  we  do  we'll  try 
to  make  peace  between  them  an'  the  Sqakes.  I  'xpect 
it'll  be  pretty  well  on  for  siic  weeks  afore  we  git  to  home, 
so  we'll  start  to-morrow." 

.     ^at  is  fat  vill  do  ver'  veil,"  said  Henri ;  "  vill  you 
please  donnez  me  one  petit  morsel  of  steak."  .^ 

"  Tm  ready  for  any  thing,  Joe,"  cried  Dick,  "  you  are 
leader.    Just  point  the  way,  and  I'll  answer  for  two  o' 
us  folio  win'  ye  —  ehl  won't  we,  Crusoe." 
j"  We  will,",  remarked  the  dog  quietly. 

"  How  comes  it,"  inquired  Dick,  "  that  these  Indians 
don't  care  for  our  tobacco  ?  " 

"  They  like  their  own  better,  I  s'pose,"  answered  Joe ; 
"  most  all  the  western  Injuns  do.  They  make  it  o'  the 
dried  leaves  o'  the  shumac  and  the  inner  bark  o'  the 
red-willow,  chopped  very  small  an'  mixed  together. 
They  call  this  stuff  Kinnekinnik,  but  they  like  to  mix 
about  a  fourth  o'  our  tobacco  with  it,  so  Fee-eye-em  tells 
me,  an'  he's  a  good  judge ;  the  amount  that  red-skinned 
mortal  smokes  is  oncommon." 

"What    are    they   doin'  yonder?"    inquired   Dick, 
-pointing  to.  a  group, nf-men-who^had  been  feasting  for^ 


some  time  past  in  front  of  a  tent  within  eight  of  our 
trio. 


V 


4 


..FKEPAKATIOKa  TO  DEPAET. 


S4i 

"Gom'to'sing,  I  thtok,"  replied  Joe.  , 

tem«c  yelJ,  or  ^.r-whoop,  for  ^Ud.  American  saval 

appaltog  ,,  unaccustomed  cars.     Then  they  aDowed 
^^r™cee.odiea„a,.ia.ft,p^«„JJ^:- 

/  as  revircd,and  the  men  wrought  themselTcs  inJo 
a  «-1/'»«-We  short  of  m«i„css,  while  their  M 
™.g  Wildly  through  «,^p.    ^^  ^^  J^  J2 

the  ue,gkb„rhood  joined  in  the  horfWe  chorus.  I 

He  Pa.d  no  attention  u,  thto  se^nade,  but  Uj  slewing 
V  .he  are  until  Dick  and  his  con.p«fc.s  Z  u/2 

^ofth^.hos,.ndretum.to«;r»mpof:et 
^     The  remainder  of  U„.t  night  wa#  spent  in 

"f  ■«  '•"•>-''°-  «»  «'ti»g  forth  on  the  «fe,; 
"°*  :"'»-  ■«  g™!'  ^"n.  Dick  ^i  aU  lay  STI' 

b^  «unp  were  go,ng  on  .s  vi^„„j    „ 


mh^ V '^  **y*rougiy  «8  ever. 

_^-Bnn  liadarfeenrand  his  beams  were  just  tipimie 
the   summits  of  the   Bockv  irA„nf«-  •     ^^ 

ttocKj  Jlountams,  causing  th( 


\: 


_«S-; 


^r 


BU 


% 


%WBET  HOUe''^ 


the  d^f^vmesr 


^" 


ious  by  oontii^ 

,t  .    ' 


l;^^§^ 


lowy  peaks  to  gUttergBfte 
and  g(*pges  to  loofe  ecp^  and 
when  £^k«and  Jo^^  and  l^eilri  ino 
'wlBk  Crusoe  gambolling 
ig  Jby-i^eir  side, 
e  a^n  lo  the  Indian  camp. 

riipirits.    He  was  perfectly  well 

|4i8  companions  were" on '^ir' way 

'te9tll<Nl'Jbjis  satisfaction  by  bursts  of  i^^per- 

'    ■  '' /itl^  oteil^ihe  hills  and  valleys.    Doubtless  h^:;||i6ught 

'^v^pf  Dick' Varle^s  cottage,  and  of  Dick's  miw;^.kind- 

ntio&c^. ,   Undoubtedly,  too,  he  thought  of  his 

mother,  Fdn,  and  felt  a  glow  of  filial  affecti<liti  as 

he  did  so.    Of  this  we  feel  quite  certain.    He  wpuld 

have  been  unworthy,  the  title  of  hero  if  he  haon't. 

Perdiance  he  thought  of  Grumpsj-'but  of  this  we  are 

not  quite  so  ^  sure. 

that  he  did..  \ 

Dick,  too,  let  his' thoughts  run  away  in  the  direction 
of  home.  Sweet  word !  Those  who  have  never  left  it 
cannot,  by  any  effort  of  imagination,  realize  the  full  im- 
port of  the  word  ''  home."  Di^  was  a  bold  hunter,  but 
he  was  young,  and  this  was  hii  fifrst  long  expedition, 
ntimes,  when  sleeping  under'  the  trees  and  J||^g 
ily  up  through  the  bKanches  i^  the  si 
tbjougfttof  h^e^  until  his  longing  heart 
toVetlim.   .^^^Mbpelled.  such  tender  f<^^im^BBver, 


•>\ 


We  rather  think,  upon  the  whole, 


V 


'^S,- 


\ 


i'W^h 


^ 


t>8  '• 


'>i 


DICK  HOME-SICK. 


845 


#k 


Sver, 


master  auh„„gt  he  »,„,<,  „„.  ^^^  ^^     ,    ^ 

to  his  already  well-filled  stores  of  erudidor, 

*e  green  swart  toward,  «,e  M„,mBB>.rT.DZ 
ventared  to  teU  J«  Blam  what  hisLh JTTk 

"  D>e  know,  Joi^.Wji«  ImfSaT^   "°- 

hi.  gaiUn.  ..««  J|"SL!S  Sr"°l°'' 
u-    f    ,.  ,       „  .-       ^  *^  B»MfP,  '•iTyf  know  I've 

*«  eWaw^-,owforso.,eiin,epa,...  ^T 


V 


^•v,. 


..jr. 


t*lQ!, 


^ 


% 


r^ 


*.:  ;.)«,1i 


§' 
'^'H. 


r 


^ 


346 


/ 


HENBI   METAFH^SICAL. 


which  there  was  a  diuSllt  of  something  that  implied  he 
knelf  more  thamhe  ^ose  to  express. 

Dick  felt  surprised,  bit  he  continued, "  I  wonder  what 

-  if  I 

it  could  have  bin.    I  never  fell  so  before." 

"  'Twas  home-sickness,  boy>   returned  Joe. 

"How  d'ye  know  that?" 

"  The  same  way  as  how  I  know  most  things,  by  ex- 
perience an'  observation.  I've  bin  home-sick  myself 
once— but  it  was  long,  long  agone."      '^ 

Dick  felt  much  relieved  at  this  candid  confession  by 
such  a  bronzedi  veteran,  and,  the  cords  of  sympathy 
having  been  fetruck,  he  opMied  up  his  heart  at  once,  to 
the  evident  delight  of  Henri,  who,  among  other  curious 
partialities,  was  extremely  fond  of  listening  to  and  taking 
part  in  conversations  that  bordered  on  the  metaphysical, 
and  were  hard  to  be  understood.  Most  conversations 
that  were  not  connected  with  eating  and  hunting  w€)Ib* 

of  this"  nature  to  Her^ri.  / 

.  ■   ■■  j      ■  /  ,' 

"  Hom'-siJi,"  he  cried,  "  veech  mean  bein'  sikof  hom'  I 
hah  I  dat  Is  fat  I  am  always  be,  ven  I  goes  hout  on  de 
expedition..;  Oui,  vraiment." 

"I  always  packs  up,"  continued  Joe,  paying  no  atten- 
tion to  Henri's  remark,  —  "I  always  packs  up  an'  sot^s 
off  foi^  home  when  I  gits  home-sick ;  it's  the  best  cure, 
an'  when  hunters' are  young  like  you,  Dick,  it's  the 
only  cure.    I've  know'diellers  a'most  die  o'  home-aick- 


T- 


'~\ 


HOME-SIOK^ESS. 


347 


-.an' I'm  told  the,  .^  go  u.der  altogether  some- 

JGo  onder!"  exclaimed  Henri;  «oui,i;as  aU  but 
die  myself  ven  I  fust  try  to  git  away  from  hom'.  If  I 
have  not  git  away,  I  not  be  here  to^ay  " 

Henri's  idea  of  home-sickness  was  So  totally  opposed 
o  then  that  his  comrades  only  laughed,  and  refrained 
from  attempting  to  set  him  right. 

"  The  fust  time  I  wos  took  bad  with  it  wos  in  a  coun- 
fry  so^ethin'  like  that,"  said  Joe,  pointing  to  the  wide 
stretch  of  undulating  prairie,  dotted  with  cluste«r.of 
^es  and  wandering  streamlets,  that  lay  before  then^f" 
,  ,    I  had  bm  out  about  two  months,  an'  wos  makin'  a  good 
thmg  of  it,  for  ga^e  was  plenty,  when  I  began  to  think 

Ze  zr  '"^ '''-' ' '-''"  ^^  -^^-  - 

^  J<^'s  voice  sank  to  a  deep,  solemn  tone  as  he  said  this, 
and  for  a  few  minutes  he  rode  on  in  silence. 

«  "  Wdl,  it  grew  worse  and  worae,  I  dreamed  o'  home 
all  mght,  an'  thought  of  it  all  day,  till  I  began  to  shoot 
bad  an  my  <^nirades  wos  gittin'  tired  o'  me ;  bo  says  I 

to  then,  one  4ight,  says  I,  a  give  out,  lads,  I'll  «ake 
tracks  for  the  settI«Baent  to-morrow.'    They  tried  to 
laugh  me  out  of  it  at  first,  but  it  was  no  go,  so  I  packed  ^- 
np,  bid  th^  good-day,  an'  sot  off  alone  on  a  fri?  o'  five      ' 

^^'^'^'^^^"^^"^^^^^^^WMckTnBr^ 
gan  to  mend,  and  befd^o  tkys  I  wos  aU  right  again." 


■*v. 


w 


BLAOKFEET  INDIANS. 


# 


m. 


Joe  was  interrnpted  at.tMBj^|i»iB|J|g  the  sudden  ap- 
j^j^arance  of  a  solitary  hoillB^^theT>ro#%f  aijt  emi- 
;  nence  not  half  a  mile  distant  The  three  friends  instantly 
"  ove  their  pack-horses  behind  a  dump  of  trees,  but  not 
time  to  escape  the  vigilant  eye  of  the  Red^man,  who 
ttered  a  loud  shout,  which  brought  up  a  band  of  his 
comrades  at  full  gallop. 

«  Remember,  Henri,"  cried  Joe  Blunt,  "our  errand  is 
one  (itrpcoctf."  '  ; 

Tljfi  caution  was  needed,  ^  in  the  confusion  of  the 
moment  Henri  was  making  preparation  to  sell  his  liff^ 
as  d^ly  as  possible.  Before  another  word  could  be 
uttered,  -they  were  surrounded  by  a  troop  of  about 
twenty  yeUing  Blackfeet  Indians.  They  were,  fortu- 
nately, not  a  war-party,  jMid,  still  more  fortunately,  they 
were  peaceably  dispSSfed,  tod  listened  ^^e  prelinlinary 
address  o^foe  Blunt  with  eyemplaryi^ patience;  after 
which  the^i&  paj^s  encamped  on  t^\e  spot,  the  coijif- 
dl-fire  wa^ghted,  and  eveyy  preparation  wto  iti^e  for 

alongpdayllW.      '  '  ^    ',j^;  . -"  ,  %       .... 

We  will  'not'%X)uble  our  rd^ey  w^h  the  de^  of  ^  A 

what  was  stud  on  this-  t)ccasio||j^feb(a,  parfy  of  India^*^ 

was  a  small  bne,'a^d  iidiief  of  ai^  importance  was 
.  attached  to  it.  Suffic^Po  liy  that  the  p^c  over- 
.$. '  tures  made  by  Joe  wei^well  received,  the  trifling  gitis 

wade  the.feafter  were  sUll  better  received,  and^thfiy,- 


seplrated  with  mutual  expressions  of  good  will. 


'f'' 


> 


%^ 


BtACKFEET  INDIANS.  g^g 

sight.  ^   wanpw  were  out  of 

almost  ditoute  nf.™         .   <"*"«■«  Uiw  place  was 

-"-..ng.  ^  .St  lei"""'*'""-''  »"''  ^ 
the  word,_i;„,\7.)..  '^' '°  '^  6»" 

■•"«».  .ei.-„,  „„„tf  thet^e  :  ^;*-°«  ""  """■ 
'"e  top  of  tie  »„d„W„,  „.„.  ..f:^^  »;  ""•^"^  .0 


-  p-  pu. .  .e  r;r::rcr^ 


80 


'■1 


350 


/ilTACKBD   BY   INDIANS. 


broken  piece  of  ground,  the  horses  picketed  dose  beside 
them,  and  our  three  travellers  peeping  over  the  edge, 
with  their  rifles  cocked,  whUe  the  savages —about  thirty 
in  number— came  sweeping  down  towards  them. 

"I'll  try  to  git  them  to  palaver,"  said  Joe  Blunt,  "but 
keep  yer  eye  oh  'em,  Dick,  an'  if  they  behave  iU,  shoot 
the  horse  o'  the  leadin'  chief.  I'll  throw  up  my  left 
hand  as  a  signal.  Mind,  lad,  don't  hit  human  flesh  tiU 
my  second  signal  iS  given,  and  see  that  H^nri  don't  draw 
\  till  I  get  bachi  to  ye."  - 

So  saying,  Joe  sprang  lighUy  over  the  slight  parapet 
6?  theu-  little  fortress,  and  ran  swiftly  out,  unarmed, 
toi(ard3  the  Indians.  In 'a  few  seconds  he  was  dose 
up  ^ith  them,  and  in  another  moment  was  surrounded. 
At  fitet  the  savages  brandished  their  spears  and  rode 
round  \jhe  solitary  man,  yelling  like  fiends,  as  if  they 
wished Vto  intimidate  him;  but  as  Joe  stood  Uke  a 
statue,  Wfth  his  arms  crossed,  and  a  grave  expression  of 
'  contempt,  on  his  countenance,  they  quickly  desisted,  and, 
drawing  Aear,  asked  him  where  he  came  from,  and  what 
he  was  doing  here. 

Joe's  story  was  soon  told ;  but  Instead  of  replying^ 
theybegaii  to  shout  vociferously,  and  evidenUy  meant 

mischief. 

« If  the  Blackfeet  are  afraid  to  speak  to  the  Pale-fkce, 
he  will  gQ  J>yj^  to  his  braves^''  said  Joe,  pansto^  sud-^ 
denly  between  two  of  the  warriors  and  tiSdog  a  few  steps 
towards  the  camp,  ,  , 


XHE  n,DIAK0  PUT  TO  mOHT. 


851 

mow  «w^,i,l,  ^^„      •_   "'<'•    Th«  second  thai 
with  them."  -  »"  ""fs,  we  will  make  no  peace 

'■.err:  zht""  ""''--  -o  '^  <»-" 

"ot^cove.ifjri":,!!:^'''"""''  "''"-^ 

"^  M  the  »„.e  m,me„mrC  ^~°^  !^ 
"■  ""  """P  »f  tie  Pale-ftces,  a  w  JO."^  °'""' 
i".  ^  fi»m  .he  aidH  of  thi.  a  ll,^  i^  ""^         ' 


*. 


®/. 


)l 


-■   .,Hli( 


-yC^^ 


M- 


5^* 


352 


HENBI   BLOWN   UP. 


*|  ■     At  this-Jhe  gaping  savages  wheeled    their  steeds 

;   .,  round,  the  dismounted  horsemen  sprang  on  behind  tw6 

of*  t^eir  comrades,  and  the  whole  band  dashed  away 
over  the  plains  as  if  they  were  chased  by  evil  spirits. 

Meanwhile  Joe  hastened  towards  his  comrades  in  a 
state  of  great  anxiety,  for  he  knew  at  once  that  one 
of  the  powder-horns  must  have  been  accidentally  blown 
up.       ^ 

*"  No  damage  done,  boys,  I  hope  ?  '*  he  cried  on  com* 
ing  up.  i 

•^  "  Damage ! "  cried  Henri,  holding  his  hiands  tight  over 

his  fape*.     "  Oh !  oui,  great  damage  —  moche  damage  me*' 
two  eyes  be  blowed  out  of  dere  holes^"    • 
*  "Not  quite  so  bad  as  that,  I  hope,"  said  Dickj  who 

"         was  very  slightly  singed,  and  forgot  his  own  hurts  in 
anxiety  about  his  comrade.    " Let  me  see?"         ,, 

"  My  eye  I "  exclaimed  Joe  Blunt,  whije  a  broad  grin 
overspread  his  countenance,  f  ye've  n«t  improved  yer 
looks,  Henri "  ^ 

*•  .  fljhis  was  trbe.  The  worthy  hunter's  hair  iP&s  singed 
to  such  an  extent  that  his  entire  countenance  presented 
the- appearance  of  ^  universal  frizzje.  Fortunately  the 
skin,  although  much  blackened,  was  quite  uninjured,  a 
fact  which,  wh«n  he  ascertained  it  beyond  a  doubtj 
afib^aled  so  much  satisfaction  to  Henri,  that  he  capered 
*  >     abbut  shouting  with  delight,  as  if  spme  piece  of  good  for* 


tuite  had  befallen  him.     - 


once  that  one 


dentally  blown 


cried  on  corrvf 


}e  a  broad  grin 


aWM  BLOWK  rp.  '353 

The  scddenl  had  happened  i™„ 
laving  „„i„,d  ,„  „p,^"f ;"**'°'=«"™'»  of  Hopri 

"-'•.Hup.  iHc.rdC'r"''?""'  -"^ 

™ged,b„,,i,ef„™er,va.n„,T  °°'^  "  ""«« 

«'therigh-.^K,„,  .  "'^^"eo.ie,  30  p„p,pu,, 

This  hand  followed  fh^m  f 
«f  ¥i«g  able  .„  J^  *r  f  "°"'  °'^'"'' '""»  "P' 


'*j 


-  ,      "iii^^.** 


<^    I' 


i'.  '.»• 


••/r 


'«■ 


/ 


"F^ 


i* 


■•  Jf' 


i-S 


.    / 


.  1    . 


S54 


THE   CAMANCHE  INDIAM3. 


^^ 


t         CHAPTER  XXV. 

Dangers  of  the  Prairie.  — Our  Travellers  attacked  by  Indians,  and 
delivered  iq.  A  remarkable  Manner. 

There  are  periods  in  the  life  of  almost  all  men  when 
misfortunes  seem  to  crowd  upon  them  in  rapid  succes- 
sion, when  they  escape  from  one  danger  only  to  encoun- 
ter another,  and  when,  to  use  a  well-known  expression, 
they  succeed  in  leaping  out  of  the  frying-pan  at  the  ex- 
pense of  plunging  into  the  fire. 

So  was  it  with  our  three  friends  upon  this  occa- 
sion. They  were  scarcely  rid  of  the  Blackfeet,  who 
found  them  too  watchful  to  be  caught  napping,, when, 
about  daybreak  one  morning,  they  encountered  a  rov- 
ing band  of  Camanchee  Indians,  who  wore  such  a  war- 
like aspect  that  Joe  deemed  it  prudent  to  avoid  them  if 
possible. 

"They  don't  see  us  yit,  I  guess,"  said  Joe,  as  he  and 
his  companions  drove  the  horses  into  a  hollow  betAveen 
the  grassy  waves  of  the  prairie,  "an'  if  we  only  can  es- 
cape their  sharp  eyes  till  we're  in  yonder  clump  o'  wil- 
lowsi  we'rfi  safe  cnougli  " 


/'  But  why  don't  you  i4Eh||*^hem,  Joe,"  iuquireJ 


&y 


•  '  ^^^«^««   O^  THE  PBAIKIE.  855 

-Because  it's  o'  no  use  t^  ^  i 

ctaceo-^i„.  peace  :.r:;t°"'"'^*""« 
your  head  down,  Henri ,    if  "J.  T"'"^'    ^""^ 

wind."  "'^^  ^  breeze  o' 

!?^''i„""'="'^°™-"'™-a  Henri.' 

JheyJl  come  wiHoutaskin'ver  leave"  „       ,. 
Joe,  drily.  •'      ™"'    remarked 

Notwithstanding  ,his  defi.n.  ■„ 
Buificien.  prudenee  to  ind         •      '""""°"'  """"'  ''^ 
*o„lde.,  and    ;;     ,""';"  '"■"  "^  "-''  ^s  head  and  ■ 

7--"-::::enT:re:~:t:"^ 

I"  the  course  of  half  an  hour  the  last  „f  ,.     n 
chees  was  aeetv  to  hover  for  a  Ij'T  """"■ 

lifee  a  speck  of  bl,  I  - ""''  °"  ""■  '">"^»n. 

pear.     '       """"^  *'"'"""  *^.  »"<>  then  to  disap. 

*3ed,  the,  had'sidC;::",;"''"^  "■""»■■"« 

'"«  "and  from  which  thev  L  I  T™^"  """™  "^ 

«■«  brow'of  a  ,h„h  ;   y    '"''  "'"''«*'•    On  pasiing 

served  that  ,g:°r'"'°''--°-'°'^"'.o'^ 


* 


?^ 


Q,  Joe,"  inquired 


«Orved  that  (^m,  '  ""'  ''''*'  ^'^'^^  «'•«*.  ob- 

a"an.i„„s,h<,„iri:,Jnl,l,7'  "*  •™"  '» 


« 


t 

«-^- 


4# 


■7i"'-4« 


:'ft 


;,>  *  • , 


'^;;4 


-  I 


856 


THE  MUBDERX^  MEK. 


iy. 


**Whafr  is't,  pup?"  said  Dick,  drawing  up,  for  he 
kfler^that  his  faithful  dog  never  gave  a  false  alarm. 

Crusoe  replied  by  a  short,  uncertain  bark,  and  then 
bounding  forward,  disappeared  ■  behind  a  little  wooded 
knoll.  In  apbther  moment  aloqg,  dismsj  howl  floated 
oyfer  the  plains.  There  was  a  mystery  about  the  dog's 
conduct  which,  coupled  \yith  his  melancholy  cry,  struck 
'  the  travellers  with  a  superstitious  feeling^  of  dread,  as 
they  sat  looking  at  each  other  in  surprise,,  '^      '  -' 

"  Come,  let's  clear  it  up,"  cried  J^oe  Blunt,*  shaking 
the  reins  of  his  steed,  and  galloping  fo;rwardk  A  few 
strides  brought  them  to  the  other  side  bf  the  knoll, 


where,  scattered  upon  the  torn  and  b 


discovered  the  scalped  and  mangled  remains  of  about 


tU'enty  or  thirty  human  beings.     Their 


oody  tuitf,  they 


skulls  had  been 


cleft  by  the  tomahawk,  adid  their  breasts  pierced  by  the 
scalping-knife ;  \and  fr6m  the  position  ip  which  many 
of.  them  lay,  it  was  evident  that  they  iiad  jbeen  slain 
while  asleep. 

Joe's  br^w  flushed*  and  liis  lips  became  Rightly  com- 
pressed, as  he  muttered  between  his  8§t  ^feth, "  Their 

'skins  iare  whiter" 

A  short  examination  sufficed  to  show  /that  the  men 
who  had  thus  been  barbarously  murdered  •  while  they 

.   slept  had  been  a  band  of  trappers,  or  hu^iters ;  but  what 
their  errand  had  been,  or  whence  they  dnvAc,  they  could 


noT'discovSv^ 


".« >'■ 


(.,-■■ 


THE   MURDERED   MEN. 


357 


much  mutilated  I«^  •  '''^'^''  although 

or  two  werp  ont  „i       x  asieep ;  but  one 

"  were  cut  almost  to  nieppc!  on^  ^ 

^e.pa„e.d  and  .™,p,«,  ,„::"::„:'  ti  "';'°°'- 

Xmanchees  who  had  h..  ^         P*"''^^  **^  ^^'    ' 

ol  06  white  men  had  to  be  «M„i       ,■    ''    °°'"^^'^ 
swait.  ^  ""^"^  ^  <"»  P"»y  was  so 

■    Loiig  aftemards  it  was  discovered  tha,  ,l,i= 

band  of  Ws  Who,  h-fee-,W  n.e„  1  d    /       ^^  " 

■  n.ng  of  t^s  vo,„„,  had  set  o„t  to  J^        deatW 

■  a  c„a,rade.  h„t  God,  who  lias  retained  the   J.   f^:     ' 
geance  ,„  hi.own  hand,  sawm  to  frwrateteir  ' 

pose,  by  givi„gu,em  into  th,  hands  of.tr  '^°'''  • 

«.WWsetfortft:to.%.  .".  ""'"^''^^^S^whom      _ 

t'ama 


ucJrees,who  had  oh^jvcd  tf, 


'^^^^^^W^r'mm^-W^j^yfh^^ 


e  trio,  and  had  rid- 


X 


-' '   / 


/'• 


S58 


8TBANGB   HORSEMEN. 


31: 


/ 


awaj  ac  first  for  the  purpose  of  deceivifig  them  ^nto 
tile  helief  that  they \  had  passed  unobserved,  doubteid  on 
their  track,  and  took,  a  long  sweep  in  ojrder  to  keep  out 
^  d  sight  imtU  they  tciuM  approach  %nder  die  shelter  of 
a  belt  m  woodland  towards  which  the  travellel^  now 
approached.  ''  \      ■  ,  '  .■   ^  i'^^^ 

The  Indians  adopted  this  course  instead  of  the  easier 
method  of  simply  pursuing  so  weak  ajparty,  because 
the  plains  at  this  parti  were  bordered  by  a  long  stretch 
of  forest  into  which  the  hunters  could  have  plunged, 
and  rendered  parsuit  njore  diflScult,  if  not  almost  use- 
less. The  detour  thus  taken  was  so  extehsive  that  the 
shades  of  evening  were  b^inning  to  descend  before  they 
could  put  their^plan  iiito  execution.  The  forest  lay 
about  a  puile  to  the  right  of  our  hunters,  like  some  dark 
mainland,  of  whiqh  the  prairie  was  the  sea,  and  the 
scattered  clump^of  wood  the  islands. 

"  l^here's  nq'  lack  o'  game  here,"  said  Dick  Varley, 
pointing  to  a  herd  of  buffaloes  which  rose  at  their  ap- 
'  proach,  and  fled  away  towards  the  wood.  j 

"  I  think  we'll  ha*  thunder  soon,"  remarked  Joe.  "  I 
never  feel  it  onnatteral  hot  like  this  without  lookin'  out 
for  a  plump,!'  *  \ 

"  Hah  !/4en  ve'  better  look  hout  for  one  goot  ^ree  to 
get  b'low,"  suggested  Henri.  "  Voila ! "  he  added,  point- 
ing with  his  finger  towards  the  plain ;  *<  Dere  am  a  lot 


of  wild  bosses." 


)ne  goot  ^ree  to 


'      ,      .  THB?  CAMAl^HEES.  \  ^^ 

Atroopof  about  thirty  wiH  1,  '  ^ 

«P<^ke,  on  the  brow  of  at'J  '^^'^'^'  ^  ^- 

wards  then,.  ^    "'^^'  ^°^  ^^^-^ed  slowly  to- 

"  ffisU  »  e«laimea  Jof ,  reining  up . '«  h„M        ,}' 
on  folher  side  o'  ehert  '  ''"^"''- ""'™''  "'"«^  ■»»" 

»;''''°'""°^°"''-^"' ':"-.-'■->  Die.,*,*.. 

■)»"•'  wan.  ,„  ,„,  ,„,  .    ,     '  ^"•'""^  >'/  an-  if  « 
W.,»  "' °"' *=^P""='d  better  n«ie  for  ae 

Joe  proved  hi„3e,f  ,„  ^^  ,.„  J 

«»<!  making  .mi,  f„  °'^'  ^^  ^ieehng  round 

lo^e  eould  run     rC      I        '"'^'  "'  '^='  -"  !■« 
-o^e,  before"   """^'^  """'^'"''  """"8  «»  pack- 

«w'd7ot"'r::'''~*"--^»o.ea„ed 

■"™thave.ppeared,,i°    ,  Camanohee  Indian^ 

ling  of  an  0,^7^  ■T"'""'-    '-  *^  '"'"''■ 

■^fo"  ae  hLjrr;::;; ;  :t  °"  ^^  '-'^'  «"-« 

lite  furies.  '^"'  ""•= '"  >>»'  P"---",  yelHng 

The  manner  in  which  th«LA  t  a- 
feat  ia  .er.  ..■■■-.-  t„',Y  f""*"  -°«"°plhl.  tf..e 


.."V.  ^Qiugmaryi^iaq  ImpliMg-TWi—t 

"""^  of  „„s„,e  on  fte  pi^;;:  ^""'"^  - 


360 


CAMANCHK%i   HORSEMANSHIP. 


-  The  Caraanchees  are  low  in  stature,  and  usually  are 
rather  corpulent.  In  their  movements  on  foot  they  slfe 
heavy  and  ungraceful ;  and  they  are,  on  the  whole,  a 
slovenly  and  unattractive  race  of  men.  But  the  instant 
they  mount  their  horses  they  seem  to  be  entirely 
changed,  and  surprise  the  spectator  with  the  ease  and 
elegance  of  their  movements.  Their  great  and  dis- 
tinctive peculiarity  as  horsen^n  is  the  povper  they  have 
licquired  of  throwing  ^emselves  suddenly  on  either 
side  of  their  horse's  l^dy,  and  clinging  on  in  such  a 
way  that  no  part  of  th^m  is  visible  from  the  other  side 
save  the  foot .  by  wiiich  they  cling.  In  this  mainner 
they  approach  their  enenaies  at  fuU-galli^p,  and  without 
rising  again  to  t^e  saddle,  discharge  their  arrows  at 
them  over  the  hqtses'  backs,  or  even  under  their  necks. 
This  apparently  magical  feat  is  aoteomplislied  by  means 
of  a  halter  of  .torse-hair„  which  "Ss  passed  round  under 
the  neck  of  the  horse,  and  hoth  ends  br3,ided  into  the 
mane,  on  the  withers,  thus  forming  a  Idep  which  hajEigs 
under  the  neck  aad  against  the  breast.  This  being 
caught  by  the  hand,  makes  a  sling,  into  which  the  el- 
/  bow  falls,  taking  the  weight  of  the  body  on  the  middle 
'  of  the  upper  arm.  Into  this  loop  the  rider  dr^ks  su^- . 
denly  and  fearteasly,  leaving  his  heel  to  hsng  e«fer  the 
horse's  back,  to  steady  him,  and  also  to  restore  him  to 

hjs  seat  when  j^sired.    '  ^,         

By  this  stratagem  tl^  Indians  had  approached  cm 


^    •' I 


/ 


approached  on 


c 


t 


tSe  pdbsuit. 


861 


overtaken.    Oneof,h„T^  *"  '™'^  '>«»«    - 

-eca«e'"::m,r:r-»--*a. 

-ttre^v forward  hia  rifle  b„,  ./I  '"^'°«' '"' 

past  the  hunter's  ear  "'"''■'"•'«"' a™"  whizzed     • 

^-^^  -e  % ..  «o„e  rt::::  "■;-;-% 

seconds  pursued  ami  r.„  *^'J"^e.      in  ^  {^mi 

-  «<■  K)  advance  mth  caution,  in  order  t«  ^  ■:, 

\;..^»ep.„.h,.e„.erhan,n,Jrj-. 

«  if  Of  distant  .^der.  „as  h^h  ,7^'  T"^    .  \ 
.    tergpaidno  atte^„  u.  it  for  ,h,  L  l        ^^^^  """"■  " 

;o»iueh  ouMe,  ..d :.:::,:;::  i.^-;^-/™ 

the  Indiana   were  arnH„„„.        !    ^     '°  f  "^^'  t^at 


>* 


them. 


y^nall).   „nd    .i,ii,i^  ^^,^^  ^^ 


31 


/  Ni 

/   '■ 


■'W 


862 


THE  PURSUIT. 


N^ 


/ 


«  We'll  ha'  to  Jfet  the  packs  go,"  said  Joe,  somewhat 
bitterly,  as  he  looked  over  his  shoulder,  «  Our  scalps  '11 
pay  fort  if  we  don't." 

Henij.  tittered  a  peculiar  and  significant  hiss  between 
his  teeth,  as  he  saM,  «  P'raps  ve  better  stop  and  figh^! " 
pick  said  nothing,  being  resolved  to  do  exaclly  what 
Joe  Blunt  bid  him ;  and  Crusoe,  folf  reasons  bestlknown 
to  himself,  also  said  nothing,  but  bounded  along  beside 
his  master's  horse,  casting  an  occasional  glance  upwards 
to  catch  anyisignal  that  might  be  given. 

passed  over  considerable  space  of  ground, 
forcing  their  way  at  the  imminent  hazard  of 
),  through  a  densely-clothed  part  of  the  wood, 
sound  above  referred  to  increased^  attracting 
the  attention  of  both  parties.  In  a  few  seconds  the  air 
was  filled  with  a  steady  and  continuous  rumbling  sound, 
like  the  noise  of  a  distant  cataract.  Pursuers  and  fugi- 
tives drew  rein  instinctively,  and  came  to  a  dead  ^stand, 
while  the  rumbling  increased  to  a  roar,  and  evidently 
approached  them  rapidly,  though  as  yet,  nothing  to  cause 
it  couid  be  seen,  except  that  there  was  a  dense,  dark 
cloud  overspreading  the  sky  to  the  southward.  The  air 
was  oppressively  still  and  hot. 

"  What  can't  be  V  inquired  Dick,  looking  at  Joe,  who 
was  gazing  with  an  expression  of  wonder,  not  unmixed 
with  concern,  at  the  southern  sky. 


^  "Dun'  ho,  boyr    PVe  bin  niore  in  therwoods  than  in 


UNEXPECTED  DELIVEJ^ance. 


wcKxJs  than  in 


^69 

mery  ot  that  s,peping  storm  like  the  musk^frv 
on  a  battle-field.  musketry 

storm  was  clearly  definP^     t*    i-    •        '  "^^'^^^-     -The 

Iigence  sent  forth  to  put  a  br^lf  nf  a      ,    •        ^ 

wori^        J     ,  ^  ^ '  °^  desolation  round  the 

word,  ^,,  „,,t„„g^  _^^  _^  ad  .h 

Ave  hundred  yard,  ^  the  r^cK  «„<.  wbil  Z \ 
ters  were  sfttioned,  only  a  few  d,v,„»  f  ,  ' 

nponthem  ^  »  fewdrop>of  .ce-coij  .^m  fell 


It  passed  direetly  between  .he  Can,a„chee  Indians 


' . 'j^^^^^^^^^^^l 

■ 

1 

■  - ;-  .,;■■;  ■■;!. .f^irrYrWl' 

.-/v?  /  f  **•  * 

^                     •■"^ 

W^ 

■      '■  v:^';,::'.--    r-\y  ■'  ^'; 

".  '   •        ,  ■ 

^.''' 

.'.-,.    '  ■  ■  ■  1 '    ''       -    '    '■ 

- 

*                .         ■      " 

J  ■      ■    ■    - 

■  ';     ■"'':.'                ■'     <?■'.;■■ 

■ 

\  ■■ 

_,;,.;  ,;•. ,  ,  ;■■,  ,'.■;■■;  '.. 

4n' 

■        4 

\ 

'is'i-,'  ■  ''    '"■  . .    ■  •  ■  ,' 

y 

■  \ 

■fi^fVc  -'    ;       ■       ■■  ■          ■■    ■      -' 

, 

-  \ 

..  ■     ■.■  /   ;■  -t.:-   --,'.■     ■       •• 

\ 

■'■■■v''V:^:i::v-':A;^--:'- 

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364 


THE  WHn^wiin>. 


and  their  .Intended  victims,  pladng  between  them  a 
barrier  which  it  would  hiv^  taken  days  to  cut  through. 
The  storm  blew  for  an  hour,  then  it  travelled  onward 
in  its  might,  aiid^was  lost  in  distance.  Whence  it  came 
and  whither  it  went  none  could  tell;  but,  far  as.  the 
eye  icould  see  on  either  hand,  an  avenue  a  quarfer.of  a 
mile  wide  was  cut  through  the  forest  It  had  levelled 
every  thing  with  the  dust ;  the  very  grass  was  beaten 
flat ;  the  trees  were  torn,  shivered,  snapped  across,  and 
crushed;  and  the  earth  itself  in  many  places  was 
ploughed  up  and  furrowed  with  deep  scars.  The  chaos 
was  indescribable,  and  it  is  probable  that  centufies  will 
not  qui^  obliterate  the  work  of  that  single  hour. 

While  it  lasted,  Joe  and  his  comrades  remained  speech- 
less and  awe-stricken.  When  it  passed,  no  Indians  were 
to  be  seen.  So  our  hunters  re-mounted  their  steeds,  and, 
with  feelings  of  gratitude  to  God  for  having  delivered 
them  alike  from  savage  foes  and  from  the  destructive 
power  of  the  whirlwind,  resumed  their  journey  towards 
the  Mustang  Valley, 


-^ 


X 


^l.v.,.\, 


THE   WIDOW. 


36/ 


•P 


/ 


<JHAPTER  XXVT. 


Anxious  Fears  fcUowed  by  a  joyfm  g^^^,,  _s  .  _         ^     ' 

Old  Mrs.  Varley  was  seated  beside  her  own  .i,- 

comer  in  the  little  cottage  bv  T.  i  .  °^'^ 

glowing  Ws  with  ti,  ^        ^"^  «*"'°^  «*  «»« 

g   wing  Jogs  with  the  earnest  expression  of  one  whose 

thoughts  were  far  away.     Her  kin!^  f 

On  .  »tod  near  to  her  sat  y„„„g  Ma„,„„,  ^^  ^^ 
whpn.,  on  U.e  day  of  «,e  »ho„ting.n,aW.  dU  y~Z 

:^:::7ar.^'"""-'^-— "I 

;    "M  ye  say,  my  boy,  that  they  were  aS  kiUed?" 


^Every  on^'' repUed  Marston. 


81* 


"^Jim  Scraggs,  who 


'^ 


fi 


see 


ANXIOUS  FEAB8. 


/ 


< 

brought  the  news,  said  they  wos  aU  lyin'de^d  with  their 
scalps  off.    They  wos  a  party  o'  white  men." 

Mrs.  Varley  sighed  again,  and  her  face  assumed  an 
expression  of  anxious  pain  as  she  thought  of  her  son 
Dick  being  exposed  to  a  similar  fate.  Mrs.  Varley  was 
not  given  to  nervous  fears;  but  as  she  Ustened  to  the 
boy's  recital  of  the  slaughter  of  a  party  of  white  men, 
news  of  which  had  "just  reached  the  valley,  her  heart  \ 
,^,sank,  and  she  prayed  inwardly  to  Him  who  is  the  bus-  '  - 
band  of  the  wido<w  that  her  dear  one  might  be  protected 
from  the  ruthless  hand  of  the  savage. 

After  a  short  pause,  during  which  young  Marston* 
fidgeted  about  and  looked  concerned,  as  if  he  had  Some-       "^ 
thing  to  say  which  ^he  would  fain  leave  unsaid^rs. 
Varley  continued —  wtm 

«  Was  ^it  far  off  where  the  bloody  deed  was  ^o^P' 
«  Yes  ;\ three  weeks  off,  I  believe.    And  Jipi*  Scraggs^    7^ 
said  that  he  found  a  knife  that  looked  like  the  one  wot 
belonged  to  — to  — "  the  lad  hesitated. 
«  To  whom,  jnj  boy  ?    Why  don't  ye  go  on  ?  " 
«  To  your  son  Dick." 

The  widow's  hands  dropped  by  her  side,  and  she 
would  have  fallen  had  not  Marston  caught  hen 

«0  mother  dear,  don't  take  oh  like  that  I"  he  cried, 
smoothing  down  the  widow's  hair  as  her  head  rested  on 
his  breast 

Eorgomati^e Mrs.  Vafley  Buffered tfaeboytolbiiaie 


, A 


-ANXIOUS  PEABS.  3gy 

"No,"  answered  tbe  boy.     «it.  il.   ^ 
MU^  but  did  no,  AM  y,'     .  f  '   «*"»  »'  «•!  tie 
««'»  7e  *..y™p,  ,,,  ^;2^  ^'  »*,  over  le«.,.. 

^"^  V^Iey  breathed  mora  f~.i 
"-ied  Qod,  b„.  i„  ftTl!^  f  ""'  *°™"'" 

«f  .e^lio  e„,e,t,  oil  ^^rtb  ""'"'  '"'  **"" 
While  Bhe   w«,  «m  1«  wvages. 

-^wed.a^-.,,:-^^-^. 

"Ye  see,  mistress,"  he  •said  "Dilt  • 
tough  eust.«ier,  an'  if  he  «„„ '       '^  ."l "  ""J"""""" 
lere-s  not  a  Ini„n  in  tk.  w         ^  ^     *^  '"*  "««. 
■8^>.^don'tb::a^*:n^""'-"«'"«'Mo.hin. 

JBut  What  i,  he's  bin  taken  pHson.,?"  ^^  ^^ 

".eredrep.UesehX:;^!":'::''"^'™'^"     - 
le«rt,mito^"  ^  «»»« to  teU  ye ;  so  keep  op 


!!'■ 


"WSa  this  partme  woM  ^        ,  *° 

i»™»«  word  of  comfort,  Jjm  ^4,^^ 


968 


THE   BESGUED   PARTY. 


and  Marston  soon  followed,  leaving  the  widow  to  weep 
and  pray  in  solitude. 

Meattwhile  an  animated  scene  was  going  on  near  the 
block-house.     Here  thfitjr  of  the  young  hunters  of  the 
}  :^    Mustang  VaUey  wew  assembled,  actively  engaged  in 
supplying  themselves  with  powder  and  lead,  and  tight- 
ening their  girths,  preparatory  to  setting  out  in  pursuit 
^  of  the  Indians  who  had  murdered  the  white  men,  while 
hundreds  of  boys  and  girls,  and  not  a  few  matrons, 
,     crowded  round  knd  listened  to  the  conversation,  and  to 
the  deep  threats  of  vengeance  that  were  uttered  e^er 
and  anon  by  the  younger  men.  ' 

Major  Hope,  too,  was  among  them.  The  worthy 
™aJOf>  unable  to  restrain  his  roving  propensities,  deter- 
mined to  revisit  the  Mustang  Valley,  and  had  arrived 
only  two  .^ays  before.  *^  * 

BackWoodsmen's^preparations  are  usually  of  the  short- 
est and  simplest  In  a  few  minutes  the  cavalcade  was 
ready;  ind  away  they  went  towards  the  prairies,  with 
the  bold  m^'or  at  their  head.  But  their  journey  was 
destined  to  come  to  an  abrupt  and  unexpected  close. 
A  couple  of  hours'  gallop  brought  them  to  the  edge  of 

o^e  of  those  open  plains  which  sometimes  break  up  the 

woodland  near  the  verge  of  the  great  prairies.     It 
^stretched  out  lilse  a  greea  lake  towards  the  horizon,  on 
which,  just  as  the  band  of  horsemen  reached  it,  the  sun 
_._  was  descending  in  A^blage^  glory.  — 


^\' 


^\ 


THE  KBSCUB  PABtt.   ,  gg^ 

fe«»t  tone  from  the  oMer  meT  '  '^"^''^ 

"HiatI hallo  r     v  u' 

Tke  whole  hand  came  to  a  «,A^    u  , 
■     "d  watched  eageriy,  and  fo,  J!'^"  "^  "'  *"»  -7' 

in  the  far  distance  iT^  ^     ~°'™  '"'°  '«"  »« 

•ft«'«-i.g«teadfa.tin^'.fe^^    "^  "^'^  =»'«' 

Seve».of«,eo,dh'.l'i^:,7!'«»'- 
w-ggestion  by  «  gnio.  ria.„T^  «»ent  to  fliie 

"I  sees  pack-horses  amonir  then, »  _•  ^ 
««"  in  »  excited  tone  •  «^  ^^    ',  ^"^  ^"""^  "^        ' 

Presently  the  horsemen  aDn,«.»i..j       . 
'«»  »  brisk  fl«  of  <m^'?T    ' "''  "^  **«« 
I'  w«  eriden.  th..*Zl        ""  "'"  "°"  ^ 

:^cireck  a,,  headlong  speedM^^T^y      ' 


I 


fv*---;-. 


'^P 


870 


JOTFUI.   SUBPBISS. 


approached.  In  a  few  minutes  they  were  clearly  made 
out  to  be  a  party  of  three  horsemen  driving  pack-horses 
before  them,  and  somethin'  which  some  of  the  hunters 
guessed  was  a  buffalo  calf. 

Young  Marston  guessed  too,  but  his  guess  was  differ- 
ent. Moreover,  it  was  uttered  with  a  yell  that  would 
have  done  credit  to  the  fiercest  of  all  the  savages." 
"  Crusoe  I "  he  shouted,  while  at  the  same  moment  he 
brought  his  whip  heavily  down  on  the  flank  of  his  little 
horse,  and  sprang  over  the  prairie  like  an  arrow. 

One  of  the  approaching  horsemen  was  far  ahead  of 
his  comrades,  and  seemed  as  if  encircled  with  the  flying 
and  voluminous  mane  of  his  magnificent  horsQ. 

"  Hah !  ho ! "  gasped  Marston  in  a  low  tone  to  him- 
self, as  he  flew  along.  «  Crusoe  I  I'd  know  ye,  dog, 
among  a  thousand !  A  buffalo  calf  I  Ha  I  git  on  with 
ye  I" 

This  last  part  of  the  remark  was  addressed  to  his 
horse,  and  was  followed  by  a  whack  that  increased  the 
pace  considerably. 

The  space  between  two  such  riders  was  soon  de- 
voured. 

«  HaUo  1  Dick,  —  Dick  Varley  I " 

"  Eh  I  why,  Marston,  my  boy  1  '* 

The  friends  reined  up  so  suddenly,  that  one  might 
have  fancied  they  had  met  like  the  knights  of  old  in  the 
shock  of  mortal  conflict. 


.  - 1'- 


SAFE  HOME  AT  tAST. 


871 


*Ii»'t7ei^1f,;DickVarley?»     . 
Dick  hefd  out  his  hanii  on^  i,^ 
■      ie  could  no.  fbd  wolh  '^"^  «"''""'•  ^"^ 

"Off  ye  go,  Dick  I    I'n  takA  ^o  * 

■»»"'«  w.  i„  the  ^dst  of  the  h:."r        ^  '"''* 

To  the  numberies,  quesaon,  that  were  Dut  ..  i,-'   v 
only  wailed  to  .ho„t  aloud,  «  We're  r.T,^"°   * 
feUyeallabontiL-k^   J,   "^"^  ""  ««fe'    They'll 

made  8traii.h^  f.    i,  ^"^  ^^^^S  onward, 

ure  u  was  not  long  before  they  aU  drew  ,m 
/ite  the  door  of  the  widow's  cottage    Sf^Tnt  """"^ 
dismount,  Marston  had  slipped^.  /  """^^ 

the  kitchen.  ^^      '^'  '^^  '^^^  ^^7  i« 

"Here's  Dick,  mother  1" 
that  he  had  come  aH«t  to  caU  her  mother. 

it  I  ^  ^'^*""^>  ^'^o  shftll  not  open 


iMa-.-K'^f. 


^..      j' 


872 


HAFFT  HEABTS. 


Having  shut  the  door,  as  we  have  said,  Manton 
ran  down  to  the  edge  of  the  lake,  and  yelled  iHrith  de- 
light —  usually  terminating  each  p&roxysm  with  the 
Indian  war-whoop,  with  which  he  was  ^11  acquainted. 
Then  he  danced,  and  then  he  sat  down  on  a  rock,  i^id 
became  suddenly  aware  that  t^ere  were  other  heajls 
there,  close  beside  him,  as  glad  as  his  own.  Another 
mother  of  the  Mustang  Valley  was  rejoicing  over  a  long- 
lost  son. 

Crusoe  and  his  mother  Fan  were  scampering  round 
each  other  in  a  manner  that  evinced  powerfully  the 
strength  of  their  mutual  affection. 

Talk  of  holding  converse!    Every  hair  on  Crusoe's  * 
body,  every  motion  of  his  limbs,  was  eloquent  with 
silent  language.    He  gazed  into  his  mother's  mild  eyes 
as  if  he  would  read  her  inmost  soul  (supposing  that  she 
had  one).    He  turned  his  head  to  every  possibly  angle, 
and  cocked  his  ears  to  every  conceivable  elevation,  and  ' 
rubbed  his  nose  against  Fan's,  and  barked  softly,  in* 
every  imaginable  degree  of  modulation,  and  varied  these 
proceedings  by  bounding  away  at  full  speed  over  the 
rocks  of  the  beach,  and  in  among  the  bushes,  and  out 
again,  but  always  circling  round  and  round  Fan,  and 
keeping  lier  in  view ! 

It  was  a  sight  worth  seeing,  and  young  Marston  sat 
down  on  a  rock,  deliberately  and  enthusiastioEdly,\to 
{^t  over  it.    But  perhaps  the  most  remarkable  part  of 


»V 


r 


HAPPT  HKABTS. 


37,8 


it  haa  not  yet  been  referred  to     Tho.. 

hea^  the,^  that  was  ^  '""'  ^'*  *"°"»«' 

^twaaaiitUe  o  eTlt^r^r^^  «^^  ^^^7' 

held  it.     Gn,„,  """"  ^^«  ^*»^  '^«  ^7  that 

^  »^     Cxrumps  was  there,  and  all  th..  n 

"-d  w.«  his  Uil  aa  „eD  i  he  t^  .^^ 

P»»i«on!    Grun,n,„.         I""  "=»"'''"'«' «wkw.rf  « 

-S-^  and  ZZTnZl       '  "^"^  '^"'  ■'«- 

'.'»he.^::hX':;:n';::r"^^'^«* 

UD  Qufptw  „  J         ■     wnereat  Grumps.  invariably  got 

exhaustion.  "*<"  ""»  »  "^^  of  ^pa^„ 

Then  young  Mareton  call^,,^  ,„  i-         ,  „ 

;,-oe._^aien...he™.e.rSM;,w::'"°^''"- 
-»e  you  happy,  my  dog  ?»' 

-     "You're  a  stupid  ielJow  to  asfc  «««».    - 
•however  it's  an  u^-  i,r         ^  ^^  «"c^  »  question ; 
«m/l  ''^^^^"'-    Yes,  I  am." 

What  do  you  want,  ye  smaU  bundle  o'  hair?" 
ihis  was  addressed  to  Grumns  x.^.^ 

-nocently,\and  sat  down  tolTn  ^  ^    ""'  '''""' 
On  hpinlTi,  *^      ^  ^^  conversation. 

OnbeWthus  sternly  questipned.  th«  h^fe  dog  ^t 
^^n  itrea^  flat,  and  hung  its  head  wt^        ^^ 
».  S  ira  nead,  looking  up  at  the 


>■ 


¥' 


874 


ILIPPT  HEARTS. 


<^.. 


same  time  with  a  deprecatory  look  a^  if  to  say,  •—  ^  Oh, 
dear  1  I  beg  pardon;  I  —  I  only  want  to'aJt  near  Cru- 
soe, please^  but  if  you  wish  it  I'll  go  away,  sad  and 
lonely,  wiUi  my  tail  very  much  between  my  legs  —  indeed 
I  win,  only  say  the  word,  but — ^'but  I'd  roAer  ptky  if  I 
might"  '  ^ 

"  Poor  bundle  I "  said  Marston,  patting  its  head, "  you 
can  stay  then.  Hooray  1  Crusoe,  are  you  happy,  I  say  ? 
Does  your  heart  bound  in  you  like  a  cannon  ball  that 

■I 

wants  lo  find  its  w»y  out  and  can't  —  ieh  ?  "     ^ 

Crusoe  put  his  sftout  agaictst  Marston's  dbeek,  and, 
in  the  excess  of  his  joy,  the  lad  Nthrew  his  arms  round 
the  dog's  neck,  and  hugged  it  vigorously,  a  piece  of  im- 
pulsive affection  which  that  noble  animal  bore  with  char- 
acteristic meekness,  and  which  Gruni]^  regaj^ied  with 
idiotw  satisfaction. 


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THB  BBjoicnros. 


878 


N      J 


-I 


-   CH4PTEE  xxvn. 

com.oolM.ong.-Th.doAgSc^.i 

The  day  of  Dick's  arrival  will.  i,:. 
"  K«.t  day  in  tl.e  ^t  Tt    "^^"'^  ™ 
^  Hope  «»ivr^t  l^:""r«  Z"^'  »" 

™%  bad  boon  Jel^  2  I  ™°^  ""^  "  "^^ 

>,»t  ^z'"'*'' ''°'P«  »f  «-«rfowi.g  „„i^_, 

A  messenger  was  sent . round  lo  !n.rf,.  i 

«o  assemble  ^thout  delayTl^^t  of  1  K^f"^'"' 

With  backwood-s-Iike  eeleri^tt!  ""^  "oek-hoose. 

-,  women,  «.d  oM.:^    Sr^^'  T  '^'^ ' 

.    poio.  wondering  ,etn.„„'S,^'':^f'^r 

-..em.io.,o,-ec.ineaUingfl.:^;X"*'""" 
They  were  not  long  in  doub,.    The  IZ      ,..   , 

presented  iteelf,  as  they  eamoCon  ^     "^ 

''H.ntof.he.w.hn,  wi  T  /     '"*  "^  "'l.*'«  »    . 
..ii«..tio  hon.L    ■■,:"-°°  <"■-"-«  »'ebefo».. 


.ei«i«ti,hon.w-.n..,;:"-r:,'"^y°''efo... 

/  aott.  were  bemg  exl^porized  on 


^e*-:*^. 


376 


FEAST  AT  THE  BLOGK-HOUSEt 


.^ 


«  4 

the  broad  level  plot  in  fitwat  of  the  gate.  Other  fires 
there  were,  of  smaller  dimensions,  on  which  sundry 
steaming  pots  were  placeji,  and  varioas  joints  of  wild 
horse,  bear,  and  venison,  roasted,  and  sent  forth  a  savory 
odor  as  well  as  a  pleasant  hissing  noise.  The  inhabi- 
tants of  the  block-h()liise  were  self-taught  brewers,  and 
the  result  of  their  recent  labors  now  stood  displayed  in 
a  row  of  goodly  casks  of  beer — the  only  beverage  with 
which  the  dwellers  in  these  far-oflf  regions  were  wonfrto 
regale  themselveei. 

The  whole  scene, — as  the  cooks  moved  actively 
about  upon  the  lawn,  and^  children  romped  round  the 
fires,  and  settlers  came  flockiiig  through  the  forest — 
might  have  recalled  the  revelry  .of  merry  England  in 
the  olden  time,  though  the  cosltumes  of  the  far  west 
were,  perhaps,  somewhat  difierent  from  those  of  old 
England. 

No  one  of  all  the  band  assembled  there  on  that  day 
of  rejoicing  requfred  to  ask  what  it  was  all  about.  Had  , 
any  one  been  iii  doubt  for  a  moment,  a  glance  at  the 
centre  of  the  crowd  assembled  round  the  gate  of  the 
.western  fortress  would  have  quicUy  enlightened  him ; 
for  there  stood  Dick  Varley,  and  his  mild-looking 
mother,  and  his  loving  dog,  Crusoe.  There,  too,  stood 
Joe  Blunt,  like  a  bronzed  warrior  returned  from  the 
%ht,)  turning  from  one  to  another  as  question  poured 

-apw-^reation  Tdmoir^oo  rapidly  To^prailt  of  »- 


..■l^iife'ldl^^^J^.i'^ 


.■i!iiV>J,.„.'  -. 


^■■"^■- 


.    r^      yt    w    T-      '-rw-«^^ 


I    l- 


I 


OKtWS  AOT>  OECSOE.       .  j„ 

•       ''P'y-     There,  too,  stood  Henri  ™.v.- 

»P«ehe,  to^i<,,er  oho«,  tol^  T^'  '"^'^ 

«  ke  told  of  how  Joe  2  .   u     ""'  ^"^  ™''«^ 

^o«..»a«ed:i:::„:;^j^»'--'.-a„d 

e-ed  Trith  .  slow  death  h,  ,  .f  J^     "' '°'' *««^ 

"-""Ein.o.hih^^rir-T^-o^.^ti™^ 

•predicament  of  Mahtaw^i;      f       '"«''» ftrth  on  the 

VC™soei„Cn^™'"'""^'-«^«"ef-.reed 

wi^h"f ,::::"  rir-  ^^^  "^^^^  '^•■'  ^•«^. 

day  became  a  remlar  .«  •        .  ""'"  »''  "">? 

^  ^l    Gmn.pst^'Xof"'^  "^ 
Me.  was  (S™„e.    A„  ™!  '  ^  "^  <»«  ««.  "d  that 

-.io.onjirnr.^;t:r"':»  • 

*™»ch«,  ^,  ^  ^         «^^  «t  on  h^ 
*•*.  1-  the  exnh^,^  f,^^,  '^^^ 


■«^ 


-'..-^y.w.,_h.cw..w.,.^;«4' 


1  »l 


J  * 


i-WJ-i"j,....,' 


878 


OBUHFS  AND   OBUSOE. 


SO  to  speak,  "beside  himself/'  was  also  in  his  own 
way.  If  people  trod  upon  him  accidentally,  which  they 
often  did,  Grumps  uttered  a  solitary  heart-rending  yell, 
proportioned  in  intensity  to  the  excruciating  nature  of 
the  torture  he  endured,  then  instantly  resumed  his  posi- 
tion and  his  fiiscinated  stare.  Crusoe  generally  held 
his  head  up,  and  gassed  over  his  little  friend  at  what 
was  going  on  around  him,  but  if  for  a  moment  he  per- 
mitted his  eye  to  rest  on  the  countenance  of  Grumps, 
that  creature's*  tail  became  suddenly  imbued  with  an 
amount  of  wriggling  vitality  that  seemed  to  threaten  its 
separation  from  the  body. 

It  was  really  quite  interesting  to  watch  this  unblush- 
ing, and  disinterested,  and  utterly  reckless  display  of  af- 
fection on  the  part  of  Grumps,  and  the  amiable  way  in 
which  Crusoe  put  up  with  it—- we  say  put  up  with  it, 
advisedly,  because  it  must  have  been  a  very  great  incon- 
venience to  him,  seeing  that  if  he  attempted  to  move, 
his  satellite  moved  in  front  of  him,  so  that  his  only  way 
of  escapmg,  temporarily,  was  by  jumpmg  over  Grumps's 
hef^. 

Grumps  was  everywhere  all  day.  Nobody,  almost, 
escaped  trampling  on  part  <i£  him.  He  tumUed  ovei* 
every  thing,  into  every  thing,  and  against  every  thing. 
He  knocked  himself,  singed  himself,  and  scalded  himself, 
and  in  fact  forgot  himself  altogether ;  and  when,  late 
"n^tnip^X^uiioe  went  with  ISck  Into 


f  * 


THE  CLOSWa  SOia™.  •    jyj 

<«ee,  and  the  door  was  shnt  r™ 

fled,  birne^  a,.^  2\T^^  '^'^  !■«  ™f-  ' 
/»  fte  d«.„4,  C.  ^  "^^  nm  U,y  down 
/io-  *e  door,  JZi^tT^,  '^  '"^  "P*-^*  ■»- 
^0'  -»  knew  ka.  C^^"  l^^lr '"'""'  ""  -^-^^ 

Of  cooree  sach  an  occasion  „  u 
«  footing  „,alci     mr^  "  ""  ^  "^^t 

oea  on  the  westpm  »»-o,'  •  ■    "own  into  its 

"  wesiem  pnunes,  and  "thfi  t,o-i»» 
surrounded  by  bullets   ««  \,u     ^  °^     ^a«  soon 

"hose  «a.e.  riflo  had  now  become  il  ^  °^  '^^'^' 
.  "ever-faUing  weapon.  R.^  1  '''  ''^'  '^ 
"-  -ga-n  Dick  stood  Zl^Z  T''^ 
"P™^  ler  dark  nnmfle  over  thT  '"  "*«" 

Mdie«  in  «,«  «.Uen.e  ::it^r     '  '""  "^ 

wUle  oa,e«  likened  to  Joe  BW    1      ^^^^  **»- 

There  were  .weethearts,  and  wives  .nj  i 

»«-•.  "<■  «in.inuion,  Z  ^,  *'"  ™  »  fiUI  .f 
Wi^ow  Varies  „  ^;J^^'~^  «  a».  .f  tte 

— s —      . C 


./I 


>-«.u,d.^,„d.h.M„   •  ,;,^ 


.%:;, 


iik,  ,„■ 


A  k^j-:y-j3& 


880 


THE  CLOSINa  BCEKK. 


m 


Missionaries  went  there,  and  a  little  church  was  bnilt, 
and,  to  the  blessings  of  a  fertile  land  were  added  the 
&r  greater  blessings  of  Christian  light  and  knowledge. 
One  sad  blow  fell  on  the  Widow  Varley*s  heart.  Her 
only  brother,  Daniel  Hood,  was  murdered  by  the  fit- 
dians.  Deeply  and  long  she  mourned,  and  it  required 
all  Dick's  efforts  and  those  of  the  pastor  of  the  settle- 
ment to  comfort  her.  But  from  the  first  the  widow's 
heart  was  sustained  by  the  loving  hand  that  dealt  the 
blow,  and  when  time  blunted  the  keen  edge  of  her  feel- 
ings her  face  became  as  sweet  and  mild,  though  not  so 
lightsome,  as  before. 

Joe  Blunt  and  Henri  became  leading  men  in  the 
councils  of  the  Mustang  Valley,  but  Dick  Varley  pre- 
ferred the  woods,  although,  as  long  as  his  mother  lived, 
he  hovered  round  her  cottage  —  going  off  sometimes  for 
a  day,  sometimes  for  a  week,  but  never  longer.  After 
her  head  was  laid  in  the  dust,  Dick  took  altogether  to 
the  woods  wi$h  Crusoe  and  Charlie  the  wild  horse,  as 
his  only  companions,  and  his  mother's  Bible  in  the 
'  breast  of  his  hunting-shirt.  And  soon  Dick,  the  bold 
hunter,  and  his  d(^  Crusoe,  became  renowned  in  the 
frontier  settlements  from  the  banks  of  the  Yellow-stone 
river  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  \ 

Many  a  grizzly  bear  did  the  fiunons  "  silver  rifle  "  lay 
low,  and  many  a  wild  exciting  chase  and  adventure  did 


IMok;  go  through,  bat  during  lua  ^casbnal  ^dints  to 


.*<n..  ■ 


.%-•■■< 


•"rtbe  Western  PnuriniT.    "^  *™**"'' 


i  \ 


THE    EKD. 


"*  ^'    ■■,  ^,"  ,i  ■.'•HI'S;- '-•■■' ^ij*ii£3^ 


gi 


p£ 


/*' 


■^^f^ 


-^:i;v 


^#»i 


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